university  of 

Connecticut 

ibraries 


Ti- 


ok     ^v  b( 


MERRY'S 


teOOK  OF  PUZZLES. 

i44J 


EDITED  BY  ROBERT  MERRY. 


NEW    YORK: 

THOMAS    O'KANE,    PUBLISHER, 

.130   NASSAU   STREET. 


f 


1^1  ill 


PEEFAOE. 


ri^HE  innumerable  readers  of  Merry's  Museum  will  here  meet 
"^  with  many  familiar  faces,  lighted  up  by  pleasant  smiles,  and 
hear  the  same  old  jovial  laughter  that  greeted  them  in  the  olden 
time. 

Our  motto  is  that  of  our  noble  State — "  Excelsior  I"  Our  readers 
will  see  that  we  have  not  buried  the  talents  of  our  contributors  ia 
napkins — but  seek  to  bring  them  out  into  the  bright  day :  For  Genius 
— like  the  lamp  ef  Aladdin — needs  constant  polishing  to  bring  out  its 
lustre  and  full  effect. 

Our  object  has  been  to  instruct  by  smiles — not  frowns;  to  cheer 
the  dear  hearts  of  the  young  girlhood  and  boyhood ;  to  strew  flowers 
among  the  necessary  thorns  of  existence.  In  a  word,  we  try  in  these 
pages  to  make  the  sad  happy — ^the  happy  still  happier. 

Hence,  pure  fun  will  be  found  as  beautiful  in  these  pages,  as  hoa* 
ey  amid  the  flowers  of  Hybla. 

Robert  Merry. 


Robert  Merry  to  his  friends 

A  kindly  greeting  sends, 
With  a  general  assortment  of  questional 

Conundrums,  Charades, 

Puzzles,  Riddles  of  all  shades. 

And  Rebuses,  as  aids 
To  intellectual  and  social  digestion. 

If  the  young  Merry  host 
Acquaintance  should  boast. 

Or  kindred,  or  authorship  pat. 
With  some  of  our  jokes. 
We  confess — ('tis  no  hoax)— 
To  amuse  other  folks, 

We  have  riddled  the  Museum  "Chat.** 

Now  we  beg  you  will  show. 

If  you  happen  to  know. 
Why  the  Editor,  painstaking  soul  ? 

Is  like  the  cold  storm 

Which,  in  climates  bright  and  warm. 

Where  gallinippers  swarm. 
Come  shivering  down  from  the  pole  t 


MERRY'S  HOOK   OF   PUZZLES. 


VSHORT 


memmom 


I 

i 

6  merey's    book    of   puzzles. 

3.  Who  prolongs  his  work  to  as  great  a  length  as  pod- 
Bible,  and  still  completes  it  in  time  ? 

4.  Why  are  young  ladies  like  arrows  1 

5.  Why  is  a  philanthropist  like  an  old  horse  ?  * 

6.  How  can  five  persons  divide  five  eggs,  so  that  each 
man  shall  receive  one,  and  still  one  remain  in  the  dish! 

7.  How  many  soft-boiled  eggs  could  the  giant  Goliah 
eat  upon  an  empty  stomach  ? 

8.  What  fishes  have  their  eyes  nearest  together  ? 

9.  Two  fathers  have  each  a  square  of  land.  One  father 
divides  his  so  as  to  reserve  to  himself  one-fourth  in  tho 
form  of  a  square ;  thus — 


Tr:e  other  father  divides  his  so  as  to  reserve  to  himself, 
one-fourth  in  the  form  of  a  triangle  ;  thus —  ] 


They  each  have  four  sons,  and  each  divides  the  remainder 
among  his  sons  in  such  a  way  that  each  son  will  share 
equally  with  his  brother,  and  in  similar  shape.  How 
were  the  two  farms  divided  ? 


MEERr's     BOOK     OF     PITZZLES. 


8  merry's    book    of    puzzles.  i 

12.  TVhat  is  that  wliich  is  often  brought  to  table,  often 
cut,  but  never  eaten  ?  f 

13.  Mv  first  is  four-sixths  of  a  step  that  is  long, 

My  second  is  a  person  of  state  ; 
My  whole  is  a  thing  that  is  known  to  be  wrong, 
And  is  a  strong  symptom  of  hate. 

14.  Why  are  your  nose  and  chin  always  at  variance? 

15.  "Without  my  first  you  can  not  stand, 
My  second  beauteous  fair  command  ; 
Together  I  attend  your  will, 

And  am  your  humble  servant  still. 

16.  "Why  ought  a  fisherman  to  be  very  wealthy? 

17.  Why  is  a  man  in  debt  like  a  misty  morning  ? 

18.  Who  was  the  first  that  bore  arms  ? 

19.  There  is  a  word  of  seven  letters ;  the  first  two  re- 
fers to  man,  the  first  three  refers  to  woman,  the  first  four 
signifies  a  great  man,  the  seven  a  great  woman. 

20.  I  am  a  word  of  five  letters.  Take  away  my  first^ 
and  I  am  the  name  of  what  adorns  the  estate  of  many  of 
the  nobility  of  England.  Take  away  my  first  and  second, 
and  I  am  tlie  name  of  a  place  where  all  the  world  was 
once  congregated.  Take  away  my  last,  and  I  am  the 
name  of  a  bear.rifrJ  mineral.  Take  away  my  two  last, 
and  I  am  the  name  of  a  fashionable  place  of  resort.  I 
am  small  in  stature,  but  capable  of  doing  a  great  deal  of 
mischief,  as  I  once  did  in  London  in  the  year  1666. 

21.  Spell  eye-water  four  letters. 

22.  Why  is  swearing  like  an  old  coat  ? 

23.  Why  is  a  thump  like  a  hat  ? 

24.  Why  is  an  inn  like  a  burial-ground  I 


merry's    book    of    puzzles 


pmM 


iCOMES 


THEYGAVEiyVE 


jira.'.lr'rt)\lihhiflifcA^r!!!:m!taiT 


mmm^i 


10  meeby's    book    of    puzzles. 

27.  If  a  fender  cost  six  dollars,  what  will  a  ton  of  coal 
come  to  ? 

28.  What  word  is  that  to  which  if  yoa  add  a  syllable, 
it  will  make  it  shorter  ? 

29.  My  first  is  a  very  uncomfortable  state, 
In  cold  weather  it  mostly  abounds. 

My  second's  an  instrument  formed  of  hard  steel, 
That  will  cause  the  stout  foe  to  stagger  and  reel, 
And  when  used,  is  a  symptom  of  hate. 
My  whole  is  an  author  of  greatest  renown, 
Whose  fame  to  the  last  day  of  time  will  go  down. 

80.  What  is  the  longest  and  yet  the  shortest  thing  in 
the  world ;  the  swiftest  and  yet  the  slowest ;  the  most 
divisible  and  the  most  extended  ;  the  least  valued  and 
the  most  regretted ;  without  which  nothing  can  be  done ; 
which  devours  every  thing,  however  small,  and  yet  gives 
life  and  spirits  to  every  object,  however  great? 

31,  My  first  is  found  in  every  house. 

From  wintry  winds  it  guards. 
My  second  is  the  highest  found — 

In  every  pack  of  cards. 
My  whole,  a  Scottish  chief,  is  praised 

By  ballad,  bard,  and  storv, 
Who  for  his  country  gave  his  life, 

And,  dying,  fell  with  glory. 

32.  Why  are  handsome  women  like  bread  ? 

83.  Why  is  an  avaricious  man  like  one  with  a  short 
memory? 

34.  What  river  in  Bavaria  answers  the  question.  Who 
is  there  ? 

85.  Why  is  a  man  with  wooden  legs  like  one  who  haa 
an  even  bargain  ? 


hobby's    book    of    pi/zzles. 


11 


Id 

38.  Why  is  a  parish  bell  like  a  good  story  f 

39.  What  belongs  to  yourself,  yet  is  used  by  others 
more  tliau  yourself  ? 

40.  In  camps  about  the  centre  I  appear ; 

In  smiling  meadows  seen  throughout  the  year; 
The  silent  angler  views  me  in  the  streams, 
And  all  must  trace  me  in  their  morning  dreams  y 
First  in  the  mob  conspicuous  I  stand. 
Proud  of  the  lead,  and  ever  in  command. 

41.  The  head  of  a  whale  is  six  feet  long ;  his  tail  is  as 
long  as  his  head  and  half  his  body,  and  his  body  is  half 
of  his  whole  length.     How  long  is  the  whale  ? 

42.  A  hundred  stones  are  placed,  in  a  straight  line,  a 
yard  distant  from  each  other.  How  many  yards  must  a 
person  walk,  who  undertakes  to  pick  them  up,  and  place 
them  in  a  basket  stationed  one  yard  from  the  lirst  stone  1 

43.  My  first  is  a  part  of  the  day, 

My  last  a  conductor  of  light. 
My  whole  to  take  measure  of  time, 
Is  useful  by  day  and  by  night. 

44.  I  am  a  word  of  three  syllables,  each  of  which  is  a 
word ;  my  first  is  an  article  in  common  use  ;  my  second, 
an  animal  of  uncommon  intelligence ;  my  third,  though 
not  an  animal,  is  used  in  carrying  burdens.  My  whole 
is  a  useful  art. 

45.  There  was  a  man  who  was  not  born, 

His  father  was  not  born  before  him, 
He  did  not  live,  he  did  not  die. 
And  his  epitaph  is  not  o'er  him. 

46.  Why  is  a  nail,  fast  in  the  wall,  like  an  old  man  ? 

47.  Why  dees  a  miller  wear  a  white  hat? 


MEBBT    8     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES, 


13 


40. 


miiHi 


14  meeet's    book    of    puzzles. 

60.  My  first  is  a  letter  commanding  to  wed, 
Or  to  lift  your  sole  till  it  reaches  your  head ; 
Nothing  worth  as  a  whole,  it  is  plain  to  all  men 
That  divided  in  halves,  it  is  equal  to  ten ; 

My  second,  though  nothing,  compared  to  the  other, 
Is  worth  more  as  a  partner  than  its  double-faced  brother; 
It  moans  and  it  sighs,  and  when  joined  to  my  first, 
Pronounces  the  doom  of  the  sinner  accursed. 

My  third,  you  will  find  his  whole  value  depends 
On  the  worth  and  position  of  neighbors  and  friends, 
And,  when  both  the  other  two  following  fair, 
Changes  doom  to  desire,  and  a  curse  to  a  prayer. 

My  fourth,  though  it  formeth  no  part  of  a  hundred, 

Shows  where  it  can  justly  and  evenly  be  sundered; 

'Tis  found  in  the  elements  everywhere  present, 

'Tis  found  in  all  seasons,  unploisant  or  pleasant, 

'Tis  the  chief  of  all  lands,  and  yet  can  not  wait 

On  continent,  hemisphere,  empire,  or  state. 

Though  ne'er  in  Great  Britain  suspected  to  lower^ 

'Tis  the  heart  of  each  quarter  of  that  mighty  power ; 

It  always  belonged  to  the  animal  race. 

In  the  mineral  kingdom  they  gave  it  a  place, 

A.nd,  being  impartial,  they  could  not  deny, 

The  vegetable  order  its  virtue  to  try ; 

And  yet,  since  creation,  it  never  was  known 

In  beast,  bird,  or  fish,  root,  branch,  stem,  or  stone. 

My  whole  you'll  find  growing  in  pasture  and  barns, ' 
Or  grown  in  coats,  carpets,warm  blankets,  and  yarns. 
In  England,  in  Saxony,  France,  and  old  Wales, 
And  in  sundry  more  places  it  always  prevails. 
Of  quadrupedal  origin — still  it  is  known 
In  bipedal  families  oft  to  be  shown  ;  [tions  .' 

But  the  strangest  of  all  its  strange  forms  and  condi-  \ 
Is  seen  in  the  covering  of  sage  politicians. 


MEERT   S     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES, 


15 


51. 


^ 


JENNY] 


mm 


iMPuLiitf'S^ 


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I 


^B^iiilliiitiliiii! 


1 1  I  iKiili  iili!il!!li!!l 


II 


ilfii 


16      mekky's  book  of  puzzles. 

53.  What  is  that  which  is  invisible,  but  never  out  of 
Bight  ? 

54:.  When  is  a  boat  like  a  knife  ?  .< 

65.  What  part  of  London  is  in  France  i 

56.  How  many  black  beans  will  make  five  white  ones? 

67.  Why  is  a  dandy  like  a  haunch  of  venison  ? 

58.  What  kin  is  that  child  to  its  father  who  is  not  its 
father's  own  son  ? 

59.  Why  is  a  rose-bud  like  a  promissory  note  ? 

60.  What  biblical  name   is   there  which  expresses  a 
father  calling  his  son  by  name,  and  his  son  replying  ? 

61.  Why  is  an  orange  not  like  a  church  bell  ? 

62.  Why  is  the  largest  city  in  Ireland  likely  to  be  the 
largest  city  in  the  world  ? 

63.  Three-fourths  of  a  cross,  and  a  circle  complete, 
An  upright  where  two  semicircles  meet, 

A  rectangle  triangle  standing  on  feet, 
Two  semicircles,  and  a  circle  complete. 

64.  What  smells  most  in  a  drug  shop  ? 

65.  Why  should  doctors  attend  to  window-sashes  ? 

eQ.  G.  a.  ^ 

67.  What  is  that  which  every  one  can  divide,  but  no 
one  can  see  where  it  has  been  divided  ? 

68.  Spell  hard  water  with  three  letters. 

69.  What  letters  of  the    alphabet  come   too  late  for) 
supper  ? 


MERBY    8     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 


17 


18  merry's    book    of    puzzles. 

72.  Pronounced  as  one  letter,  and  written  with  three, 
Two  letters  there  are,  and  two  only  in  me  ; 
I'm  double,  I'm  single,  I'm  black,  blue,  and  gray, 
I  am  read  from  both  ends,  and  the  same  either  way, 
I  am  restless  and  wandering,  steady  and  fixed, 
And  you  know  not  one  hour  what  I  may  be  the  next. 
I  melt,  and  I  kindle — beseech,  and  defy, 
I  am  watery  and  moist,  I  am  fi«ry  and  dry. 
I  am  scornful  and  scowling,  compassionate,  meek ; 
I  am  light,  I  am  dark,  I  am  strong,  I  am  weak. 
I'm  piercing  and  clean,  I  an?,  heavy  and  dull ; 
Expressive  and  languid,  contracted  and  full. 
I'm  a  globe  and  a  mirror,  a  window,  a  door, 
An  index,  an  organ,  and  fifty  things  more. 
I  belong  to  all  animals  under  the  sun. 
And  to  those  who  were  long  understood  to  have 

none. 
My  language  is  plain,  though  it  can  not  be  heard, 
And  I  speak  without  even  pronouncing  a  word. 
Some  call  me  a  diamond — some  say  I  am  jet ; 
Others  talk  of  my  water,  or  how  I  am  set. 
I'm  a  borough  in  England,  in  Scotland  a  stream. 
And  an  isle  of  the  sea  in  the  Irishman's  dream. 
The  earth  without  me  would  no  loveliness  wear, 
And  sun,  moon,  and  stars  at  my  wish  disappear. 
Yet  so  frail  is  my  tenure,  so  brittle  my  joy. 
That  a  speck  gives  me  pain,  and  a  drop  can  destroy. 

73.  "What  vessel  is  that  which  is  always  asking  leave 
to  move  ? 

74:.  Translate  the  following  into  Latin — 

42,  8  rocks,  e  e  e  e  e  e  e  e  e  e,  46.  2.  14.  8.  0. 

75.  How  is  it  that  you  can  work  with  an  awl,  but  not 
with  a  forceps ;  while  I  can  work  with  a  forceps,  and  not 
with  an  awl  ? 


Sierrt's    book    of    puzzles, 


19 


30  merbt's    book    of    puzzles. 

77.  Add^  was  the  word  the  master  gave  to  Dick, 
Dick  scratched  his  head,  and  looking  rather  thick, 
Eeplied,  '-''Hereafter  it  would  make  it  stickP 
*^Dick,"  cried  the  master,  *'  rudeness  is  a  sin  ; 
Behold  the  stocks,  FU  surely  put  you  inP 

**  That,"  answered  Dick,  "  won't  alter  it  a  feather, 

Hereafter  it  would  make  it  hold  togetJierP 

"  Dick,"  said  the  man,  *'  if  you  insult  me  so, 

Your  shoulders  and  my  rod  I'll  put  in  CoP 

"  'Tis  all  the  same,"  said  Dick,  *'  my  worthy  master, 

Hereafter  it  would  make  it  stick  tJie  f aster, '^^ 

78.  Why  is  France  like  a  skeleton  ? 

79.  "Why  is  a  woodman  like  a  stage  actor  ? 

80.  Why  is  the  hour  of  noon  on  the  dial-plate  like  a 
pair  of  spectacles  ? 

81.  Why  is  the  best  baker  most  in  want  of  bread  ? 

82.  Whether  old  Homer  tippled  wine  or  beer, 
Julep  or  cider,  history  is  not  clear  ; 

But  plain  it  is — the  bard,  though  wont  to  roani, 
But  for  one  liquid,  never  had  left  home. 

83.  Why  is  a  coward  like  a  mouse-trap  ? 

84.  Why  is  green  grass  like  a  mouse  ? 

85.  What  two  reasons  why  whispering  in  company  is 
not  proper  ? 

86.  My  first  is  found  on  the  ocean  wave. 

In  the  spring,  the  pit,  and  the  mine ; 
My  second  below  earth's  surface  you  have, 

Where  seldom  the  sun  can  shine. 
My  whole  your  dinner-table  must  grace, 
And  seldom  fails  to  obtain  a  place. 

87.  Why  is  a  gooseberry  pie  like  counterfeit  money  ! 


MEEEY    8     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 


21 


88. 


89.  Why  does  a  fisherman  blow  his  horn  ? 

90.  Why  is  there  no  danger  of  starving  in  a  desert  ? 

91.  Take  half  of  the  needle 

By  which  sailors  steer 
Their  ship  through  the  water, 

Be  it  cloudy  or  clear ; 
Do  not  really  break  it — 

This  of  all  things  were  worst — 
But  in  your  mind  take  it, 

And  this  makes  my  first. 
At  thanksgiving  or  Christmas, 

My  second  you  see  ; 
With  care  well  compounded, 

From  grain,  shrub,  and  tree. 
My  whole  like  some  people 

Who  make  great  pretense, 
Of  words  have  a  plenty, 

But  no  great  stock  of  sense. 

92.  How  is  it  that  Methuselah  was  the  oldest  man, 
when  he  died  before  his  father  ? 

93.  My  first  is  a  negative  greatly  in  use, 

By  which  people  begin  when  they  mean  to  refuse; 
My  second  is  Fashion,  or  so  called  in  France, 
But,  like  other  whims,  is  the  servant  of  chance. 
An  article  always  in  use  is  my  whole. 
With  texture  and  form  under  fashion's  control ; 
But,  alas !  not  a  thing  can  it  see  which  goes  by, 
Although  many  have  four  sights,  and  all  have  one 
eye. 

94.  What  is  that  which,  supposing  its  greatest  breadth 
to  be  four  inches,  length  nine  inches,  and  depth  three 
inches,  contains  a  solid  foot  ? 


MEBEY    S     BOOK     OF     FUZZLE8. 


d3 


95. 


24  mekrt'b    book    of    puzzles. 

96.  My  tongue  is  long,  my  breath  is  strong, 

And  yet  I  breed  no  strife ; 
My  voice  you  hear  both  far  and  near, 
And  yet  I  have  no  life. 

97.  A  waterman  rows  a  given  distance,  a,  and  back 
again  in  h  hours,  and  finds  that  he  can  row  c  miles  with 
the  current,  for  d  miles  against  it.  Required,  the  time  of 
rowing  down,  the  time  of  rowing  up,  the  rate  of  '^urrftnty 
and  the  rate  of  rowing. 

98.  As  I  was  beating  on  the  far  east  grounds, 
Up  starts  a  hare  before  my  two  greyhounds ; 
The  dogs,  being  light  of  foot,  did  fairly  run, 
To  her  fifteen  rods,  just  twenty-one  ; 

And  the  distance  that  she  started  up  before, 
Was  six-and-ninety  rods,  just  and  no  more  ; 
Now,  I  would  have  you  Merry  boys  declare 
How  far  they  ran,  before  they  caught  the  hare. 

99.  Is  it  possible  to  put  twelve  pieces  of  money  in  six 
rows,  and  have  four  in  a  row  ? 

100.  A  gentleman  sent  a  servant  with  a  present  of  nine 
ducks,  with  this  direction — 

"  To  Alderman  Gobble,  with  ix.  ducks." 
The  servant  took  out  three,  and  contrived  it  so  that  the 
direction  corresponded  with  the  number  of  the  ducks.     Hs 
neither  erased  uor  altered  a  letter.     How  did  he  do  it  I 

101.  Four  letters  form  me  quite  complete, 

As  all  who  breathe  do  show ; 
Reversed,  you'll  find  I  am  the  seat 

Of  infamy  and  woe. 
Transposed,  you'll  see  I'm  base  and  mean, 

Again  of  Jewish  race  ; 
Transposed  once  more,  I  oft  am  seen 

To  hide  a  lovely  face. 


MEKKY'S     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 


25 


102. 


fJO  mebkt's    book    of    puzzles. 

103.  My  first  is  the  name  to  an  article  given 

For  ladies  and  dandies  to  put  on  their  linen  ; 
It  comes  from  the  forest,  I've  heard  people  say. 
And  is  made  from  the  skin  of  an  animal  gay. 
My  second  is  a  fruit  that  comes  from  the  South, 
The  juice  of  it  is  sour,  and  'twill  pucker  your 

mouth  ; 
'Tis  foHind  in  candy  shops  all  over  the  town, 
And,  stranger  to  say,  it  is  almost  round. 
My  whole  is  an  article  that  is  often  seen 
In  the  gardens  and  fields  almost  covered  with  green; 
It  is  very  sweet,  and  also  pleasant  to  eat, 
And  in  hot  summer  days  affords  a  rich  treat. 

104.  My  first  is  half  of  what  implies  good-humor;  my 

second  makes  sense  of  my  first ;  my  third  sounds  like  the 
cry  of  a  kitten ;  my  fourth  is  a  consonant  and  vowel  com- 
bined ;  my  fifth,  with  the  addition  of  the  initial  of  my 
third,  would  imply  silence  ;  and  my  whole  is  what  many 
boys  and  girls  prize  liighly. 

105.  I  am  composed  of  twelve  letters. 

My  2,  8,  9,  is  a  substance  dug  out  of  the  earth. 
"     6,  11,  12,  8,  is  a  numeral 
*'     4,  2,  3,  is  an  ancient  instrument  of  war. 
"     12,  8,  1,  is  a  vessel  used  in  former  times. 
"     5,  is  a  vowel. 

"     4,  7,  1,  9,  is  a  hard  substance. 
"     10,  9,  is  a  pronoun. 
My  whole  is  now  before  you. 

106.  My  first  is  appropriate,  my  second  'tis  nine  to  one 
if  you  guess  it.  ^[y  whole  elevates  the  sole  above  the 
earth. 

107.  "Why  is  a  conundrum  like  a  monkey  ? 

108.  What  do  we  all  do  when  we  first  ^et  into  bed  ? 


MEERT    S     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 


27 


109. 


110. 


28  merkt's    book    of    puzzles. 

111.  There  is  one  word  in  the  English  language  which 
is  universally  considered  a  preventive  of  harm  ;  change  a 
certain  letter  in  it,  and  you  make  it  "an  act  of  cruelty. 

112.  My  first  may  be  fashioned  of  iron  or  wood, 

And  at  window  or  door  for  safety  is  placed  ; 
In  village  or  town  it  does  more  harm  than  good, 

Leading  people  their  health,  time,  and  money 
to  waste. 
My  second's  a  lady,  bewitching  and  fair, 

And  for  love  of  her  people  will  labor  and  strive  ; 
Will  rise  before  dawn,  and  be  wearied  with  care, 

And  pursue  her  with  ardor  as  long  as  they  live. 
My  whole  is  what  ladies  admire  and  approve. 

The  shopkeeper's  boast — the  purchaser's  prize  ; 
'Tis  a  ninepenny  chintz — 'tis  a  one-shilling  glove — 

It  is  something  which  makes  people  open  their 
eyes. 

113.  At  what  distance  must  a  body  have  fallen  to  ac- 
quire the  velocity  of  1,600  feet  per  second  ? 

114.  Of  w^hat  trade  is  the  sun  in  May? 

115.  Why  is  a  small  horse  like  a  young  rausk-melon  ? 

116-      My  first  must  grace  a  legal  deed. 

With  its  companion,  firm  and  red  ; 
Its  help  in  marriage,  too,  they  need, 

Before  the  blessing  can  be  said. 
My  second  half  a  hundred  is. 

If  in  the  shortest  way  you  spell ; 
You  soon  must  guess  me  after  this, 

I  may  as  well  the  secret  tell. 
My  whole,  by  his  celestial  strains 

Bears  the  rapt  soul  to  worlds  above ; 
The  Great  Creator's  power  proclaims, 

And  tells  of  the  Kedeemer's  love. 


MEBBY   S     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 


29 


117. 


118. 


"^-^msi^!^ 


^<"  BRIGHT II  Bt-ut 


m^ 


^^mmmmmmm 


mmm 


^ 


30  merry's    book    of    puzzles. 

119.  My  first  is  a  boy's  nickname ;  my  second  is  meant 
for  defense;  my  third  is  a  preposition ;  my  fourth  is  one  of 
the  articles;  my  fifth  is  one  of  the  United  States.  My 
whole  is  a  large  city  in  Europe. 

120.  My  first  is  stationed  near  your  heart, 

And  serves  to  brace  the  mortal  frame ; 
Of  young  and  old  it  forms  a  part, 

And  to  fair  woman  gives  a  name. 
Who  builds  a  ship  must  it  employ, 

To  give  it  strength  to  stem  the  fl.ood, 
And  Adam  felt  no  real  joy 

Till  in  ne\F  form  by  him  it  stood. 
My  second  may  be  long  or  short, 

Or  tight  or  loose,  or  wet  or  dry. 
Of  cotton,  silk,  or  woolen  wrought, 

Of  any  texture,  strength,  or  dye- 
Be  made  of  iron,  gold,  or  steel, 

Of  love  or  hate,  of  good  or  ill, 
May  gently  bind,  or  heavy  feel, 

May  give  support,  or  rudely  kill. 
My  whole  is  formed  by  fashion,  skill,  and  care, 
And  what  few  ladies  from  their  dress  can  spare. 

121.  How  long  would  a  ball  be  falling,  from  the  top  of 
a  tower  that  was  400  feet  high,  to  the  earth  ? 

122.  Why  are  chairs  like  men  ? 

123.  The  foot  of  a  ladder  60  feet  long  remaining  in  the 
Bame  place,  the  top  will  just  reach  a  window  40  feet  high 
on  one  side  of  the  street,  and  another  30  feet  high  on  the 
other  side.     How  wide  is  the  street  ? 

124.  There  is  a  pile  of  cannon-balls,  the  ground  tier  of 
which  contains  289  balls,  and  the  top  tier  one  ball.  Re- 
quire the  whole  number  of  balls  in  a  pile. 


mekby's    book    of    puzzles. 


31 


125. 


Jt    BAD    ^^^^ 


32  merry's    book    of    puzzles. 

127.  What  skillful  housewife  does  not  know 

When,  where  to  place  my  first  ? 
When  nicely  done,  it  will  not  show ; 

Conspicuous,  it  is  worst. 
My  second  all  the  world  must  do, 

Either  with  head  or  hand, 
In  different  ways  the  same  pursue, 

On  water,  or  on  land. 
My  whole  a  picture  is  of  life, 

Varied  with  good  or  ill. 
With  bright  or  dull,  with  light  or  dark, 

Arrano^ed  with  art  and  skill. 

128.  What  is  that  which  will  make  you  catch  cold-^ 
cure  the  cold — and  pay  the  doctor's  bill? 

129.  Why  is  a  joke  like  a  cocoa-nut  ? 

130.  When  did  Esau,  the  hairy  man,  lose  his  whiskers! 

131.  Why  do  postmasters  deserve  the  execration  of  all 
true  Americans  ? 

132.  Just  equal  are  my  head  and  tail, 

My  middle  slender  as  can  be, 
Whether  I  stand  on  head  or  heel, 

'Tis  all  the  same  to  you  or  me. 
But  if  my  head  should  be  cut  off. 

The  matter's  true,  although  'tis  strange, 
My  head  and  body,  severed  thus. 

Immediately  to  nothing  change 

133.  If  a  loafer,  smoking  a  cigar,  sets  fire  to  the  brush 
on  his  upper  lip,  is  it  a  case  of  spontaneous  combustion? 

134r.      liv    sin    transgre    procur    damn 

A     ing     ers  ssion         ed         ation. 

dy  Kedeem    pa   purchas     salv 


MERBT    S     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES, 


83 


135. 


^^ 


3 


MAKES 


E&W 


136. 


137. 


What  sailors  dread. 


2* 


34: 


MEKEY    S     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES, 


138.  I. 

Go  wide  o'er  the  world, 
And  everj^  where  seek  me — 
In  earth,  sea,  or  air, 
Thou  never  shalt  meet  me  ! 
Go  w-ide  o'er  the  world — 
I  always  am  there — 
"Wherever  thou  roamest, 
In  earth,  sea,  or  air  ! 

ir. 
Go  speak  to  the  woodland, 
And  question  of  me — 
Oh  ne'er  shall  thou  lind  me, 
With  forest  or  tree  ! 
Go,  speak  to  the  woodland, 
I  ever  am  there. 
And  live  in  its  wliispers, 
Though  lighter  than  air  ! 

ni. 
Go,  winnow  the  wave, 
And  seek  for  my  breath — 
Ah,  ocean  and  river. 
Reveal  but  my  death  ! 
Go,  winnow  the  wave, 
Tho'  with  winter  it  shiver — 
There — there  shalt  thou  find 
'Mid  ocean  and  river  !     [me, 


IV. 

In  whirlwinds  I  revel, 
Yet  in  zephyrs  expire — 
I  flourish  in  warmth. 
And  I  perish  in  fire ! 
The  winter  I  cherish. 
Yet  each  season  I  shun ; 
Half  living  in  harvest, 
In  summer,  undone ! 

V. 

I  come  with  the  warlock — 
I  go  with  the  ghoul — 
I  shriek  w^ith  the  wizard — ■ 
I  hoot  with  the  owl  I 
I  ride  on  the  hazel 
Which  witches  have  rent — 
I  fly  on  the  wing 
Which  the  eagle  hath  bent. 

VI. 

I  come  and  I  go — 

Oft  unseen  and  unsought ; 

I  live  but  in  words — 

I  perish  in  thought. 

So  to  all  and  to  each, 

I  bid  you  adieu  ; 

Yet  to  all  and  to  each, 

I  stay  double  with  you ! 


139.  Why  is  the  boy  that  disturbs  a  hive  like  a  true 
Christian  1 

140.  What  is  that  which  has  eyes  and  sees  not,  ears 
and  hears  not,  nose  and  smells  not,  yet  is  often  regarded 
as  the  heau-ideal  of  a  human  being. 

141.  Why  is  the  elephant  his  own  servant  ? 


JfEKRY    S     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 


39 


LEAP    FROG 

159.  This  is  a  most 
excellent  pastime.  It 
should  be  played  in  a 
spacious  place,  out  of 
doors,  if  possible,  and 
the  more  there  are  en- 
gaged in  it,  provided 
they  be  of  the  same 
height  and  agility,  the 
better  is  the  sport.  We 
will  suppose  a  dozen 
at  play : — Let  eleven 
of  them  stand  in  a 
row,  about  six  yards 
apart,  with  all  their 
faces  in  one  direction,  arms  folded,  or  their  hands  resting 
on  their  thighs,  their  elbows  in,  and  their  heads  bent  for- 
ward, so  that  the  chin  of  each  rests  on  his  breast,  the 
right  foot  advanced,  the  back  a  little  bent,  the  shoulders 
rounded,  and  the  body  firm.  The  last  begins  the  sport 
by  taking  a  short  run,  placing  his  hands  on  the  shoulders 
of  the  nearest  player,  and  leaping  with  their  assistance — 
of  course,  springing  with  his  feet  at  the  same  time — over 
his  head,  as  represented  in  the  cut.  Having  cleared  the 
first,  he  goes  on  to  the  second,  third,  fourth,  fifth,  etc.,  in 
succession,  and  as  speedily  as  possible.  When  he  has 
gone  over  the  last,  he  goes  to  the  proper  distance,  and 
places  himself  in  position  for  all  the  players  to  leap  over 
him  in  their  turn.  The  first  over  whom  he  passed,  follows 
him  over  the  second,  third,  fourth,  etc. ;  and  when  he 
has  gone  over,  the  one  who  begun  the  game  places  him- 
self in  like  maaner  for  the  others  to  jump  over  him.  The 
third  follows  the  second,  and  so  on  until  the  parties  are 
tired. 


iO  merry's    book    of    puzzles. 

160.  His  heart  was  sad,  and  his  foot  was  sore, 
When  a  stranger  knocked  at  the  cottager's  door; 
With  travel  faint,  as  the  night  fell  down, 

He  had  missed  his  wa-y  to  the  nearest  town, 

And  he  prayed  for  water  to  quench  his  thirst, 

And  he  showed  his  purse  as  he  asked  for  my  first, 

The  cotter  was  moved  by  the  stranger's  tale. 

He  spread  the  board,  and  he  poured  the  ale: 

"  The  river,"  he  said,  "  flows  darkly  down 

Betwixt  your  path  and  the  lighted  town. 

And  far  from  hence  its  stream  is  crossed 

By  the  bridge  on  the  road  that  you  have  lost ; 

Gold  may  not  buy,  till  your  weary  feet 

Have  traversed  the  river  and  reached  the  street. 

The  thing  you  ask  ;  but  the  wandering  moon 

Will  be  out  in  the  sky  with  her  lantern  soon  ; 

Then  cross  o'er  the  meadow,  and  look  to  the  right, 

And  you'll  find  my  second  by  her  light." 

My  second  shone  like  a  silver  floor, 

When  the  traveler  passed  from  the  cotter's  door; 

He  saw  the  town  on  its  distant  ridge. 

Yet  he  sighed  no  more  for  the  far-off  bridge; 

And  his  wish  of  the  night  soon  gained  its  goal, 

For  he  found  mj  first  when  he  reached  my  whole. 

161.  What  two  letters  of  the  alphabet  make  a  prophet  f 

162.  I  8  0  ^fy_ 

163.  Plant  an  orchard  of  twenty-one  trees,  so  that  there 
shall  be  nine  straight  rows,  with  five  trees  in  each  row, 
the  outline  a  regular  geometrical  figure,  and  the  trees  all 
at  unequal  distances  from  each  other. 

nor 

164.  B  0  yy-^  for  U  c  what  a  fool  u  b. 

•'•'  nice 


mebbt's    book    of    puzzles.  4:1 


165.  "What  part  of  the  liorse  resembles  you  1 

166.  Why  is  a  horse  like  the  prophet  Elijah  ? 

167.  Why  is  a  new  married  man  like  a  horse  f 

168.  Why  is  it  profitable  to  keep  fowl  ? 

169.  My  first  is  a  collection  of  water ;  my  second  is 
used  when  speaking  of  myself;  mj  third  is  a  fruit;  my 
whole  is  a  town  in  Hindostan. 

170.  *'  Thomas,"  said  Charles,  "  you  are  good  at  fig- 
ures, please  give  me  o. figurative  answer  to  this  question: 
— What  ought  one  to  do  who  arrives  at  a  friend's  hous<^ 
too  late  for  dinner?" 

Thomas,  after  thinking  a  little,  wrote  the  following— 
1028,40.     What  was  his  meaning  ? 


4^ 


BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 


171.  A  teacher,  having  fifteen  young  ladies  under  Kei 
care,  wished  them  to  take  a  walk  each  day  of  the  week. 
They  were  to  walk  in  five  divisions  of  three  ladies  each, 
but  no  two  ladies  were  to  be  allowed  to  walk  together 
twice  during  the  week.  How  could  they  be  arranged  to 
suit  the  above  conditions  ? 

172.  My  first  is  a  letter,  an  insect,  a  word, 
That  means  to  exist ;  it  moves  like  a  bird. 
My  next  is  a  letter,  a  small  part  of  man, 

'Tis  found  in  all  climes ;  search  where  you  oan. 

My  third  is  a  something  seen  in  all  brawls. 

My  next  you  will  find  in  elegant  halls. 

My  last  is  the  first  of  the  last  part  of  day, 

Is  ever  in  earnest,  yet  never  in  play. 

My  whole  gives  a  light,  by  some  men  abhorred, 

The  blessings  from  which  no  pen  can  record. 

173.  What  number  is  that,  which,  added  separately  to 
100  and  164,  shall  make  them  perfect  squares  ? 

174.  Why  is  the  letter  F  like  death  ? 

175.  Why  are  mortgages  like  burglars  ? 

176.  Fm  composed  of  letters  four, 

A  turkey,  cock,  or  hen  ; 
Behead  me,  and  I  upward  soar. 

Put  on  my  head  again. 
Transpose  me,  then  a  beast  I  am, 

Both  bloodthirsty  and  wild. 
That  preys  on  many  a  helpless  lamb, 

And  oft  devours  a  child. 

177.  I  am  a  word  of  three  letters,  signifying  to  spoil 
or  injure.  Transposed,  I  am  an  animal.  Transposed 
again,  I  am  a  part  of  the  human  frame. 


mekby's    book   of    puzzles, 


43 


178.  "Why  is  a  grist-mill  like  the  court-martial  which 
cashiered  Fremont? 

179.  I  have  wings,  yet  never  fly — 

I  have  sails,  yet  never  go— 
I  can't  keep  still,  if  I  try, 
Yet  forever  stand  just  so. 

180.  Why  is  a  grist-mill  like  an  orange-tree  ? 

181.  What  Scripture  character  was  a  stupid  sheep  ? 

182.  What  animal  that  always  has  a  cold  chin  is  used 
to  keep  the  ladies'  chins  warm  ? 

183.  What  two  reasons  why  a  young  lady  going  to  the 
altar  is  certainly  going  wrong  ? 

184.  Why  is  it   dangerous    for    a    teetotaler  to  have 
moro  than  two  reasons  for  the  faith  that  is  in  him  i 

185.  What  is  the  most  cheerful  part  of  an  arsenal? 


44  meeby's    book    of    puzzles. 

186.  "Wheu  does  the  tougue  assume  the  functious  of 
the  teeth  ? 

187.  My  first  is  company,  my  second  is  without  com- 
pany, and  my  third  calls  company. 

188.  An  emblem  of  stupidity, 

My  first  in  forests  found ; 
Up  in  air  oft  rises  high, 

Though  fastened  to  the  ground, 
But  by  sharp  means  it  is  removed, 

And  managed  various  ways  ; 
By  art  or  skill  may  be  improved, 
Or,  perhaps,  it  makes  a  blaze. 
My  second  is  of  every  kind, 

Is  good,  or  bad,  or  gay  ; 
Is  dull  or  bright,  to  suit  all  minds. 
By  night  as  well  as  day. 
The  patient  seaman  keeps  with  care  my  whole, 
And  well  it  knows  his  secrets  night  and  day; 
And  though  it  has  no  tongue,  nor  heart,  nor  soul, 
It  tells  the  story  of  the  ship's  long  way. 

189.  There  is  a  word  of  six  letters.  Take  oft  three 
letters  at  either  end,  and  add  another  letter,  and  it  will 
make  one  of  the  most  useful  members  of  the  body. 

190.  Tell  me  why  is  it,  if  you  lend 
But  forty  dollars  to  a  friend. 

It  does  your  kindness  more  commend 
Than  if  five  hundred  you  should  send  ? 

191.  What  is  that  which  is  less  tired  the  longer  it  runs? 

192.  Why  is  a  tailor  finishing  your  pants  like  a  polite 
host  serving  his  guests  with  water-fowl  ? 

193.  What  was  a  month  old  at  Cain's  birth,  that  is  not 
five  weeks  old  now  ? 


meeet'b    book    of    puzzles 


45 


194.  What  looks  worse  on  a  lady's  foot  than  a  darned 
stocking  ? 

195.  Which  of  the  girls  can  answer  questions  best! 

196.  What  is  the  shape  of  a  kiss  ? 

197.  My  first  is  a  busy  industrious  thing, 

Without  which  no  bundle  your  porter  can  bring  ; 
My  second  is  nothing  to  speak  of,  yet  stands 
For  thousands  and  millions,  in  money  or  lands  ; 
My  third  is  a  question  we  meet  every  day, 
Relating  to  things  we  do,  think,  or  say ; 
My  whole  is  the  questioner — once  it  was  yon, 
If  not,  'twas  your  brother,  or  cousin,  or — whew  I 
It  was  somebody  else  whom  your  grandmother  knew. 


46  ICEBBY    8     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 

198.  I  am  composed  of  four  letters.     We  do  not  4  2  3, 
1  4  2  3,  2  3,  3  4:  2. 

199.  Mj  first  is  a  preposition. 

"  second  implies  more  than  one. 

"  third  is  a  pronoun. 

"  fourth  some  people  do  not  pay. 

"  whole  is  not  consistent. 

200.  I  am  a  word  of  four  letters  often  used  in  prayer. 
Transposed,  I  become  what  every  one  professes. 
Transposed  agaiu,  I  become  an  adjective,  the  qual- 
ities of  which  every  one  despises. 

Transposed  again,  I  am  part  of  a  horse, 

SOL        My  first  is  poison,  slow  yet  sure, 

That  preys  on  many  frames ; 
Compounded  oft  of  things  impure, 

And  called  by  many  names. 
My  first  and  second  form  my  whole, 

That's  one  of  Satan's  dens  ; 
Many  a  man  has  lost  his  soul, 

Through  meeting  there  with  friends. 

202.  I  am  a  word  of  four  letters — the  name  of  a  Gape. 
Transposed,  I  am  a  portion  of  the  earth's  surface. 
Transposed  again,  I  am  a  kind  of  meat. 
Transposed  again,  I  become  a  verb  signifying  to 
wash. 

803.  I  prove  2  =  1,  thus  : — 
X  =  a ;  then  x'  =  ax 
x'  —  a'  =  ax  —  a' 
(x  -h  a)  (x  —  a)  =  a  (x  —  a) 
X  -f-  a  =  a 
2  a  =  a 
2  =  1 
Who  will  detect  the  fallacy  ! 


MEBBY    S     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES, 


47 


'-  ffOffTON. 


204.  In  wliat  sliip,  and  in  what  capacity,  do  young 
ladies  like  to  engage  ?  > 

305.      Ethereal  thing,  on  unseen  wing, 

Through  space  my  first  is  wandering  ; 
It  nothing  sees,  it  nothing  knows, 
Yet  all  that's  known  and  seen  it  shows. 
Brick,  iron,  mnd,  stone,  reed,  or  wood, 
My  second  in  all  climes  has  stood — 
A  lodge,  a  nest,  where  love  may  rest. 
Or  a  prison,  gloomy,  dark,  unblest. 
Away  on  the  bleak  and  desolate  peak 
Where  the  rude  tempests  howl  and  shriek, 
Like  a  friendly  eye,  looking  out  from  the  sky. 
My  whole  to  the  wanderer  gleams  on  high. 

206.  What  kind  of  a  ship  did  Solomon  object  to  t 


48 

207.  There  are  two  numbers  whose  product  added  to 
the  sum  of  their  squares  is  109,  and  the  difference  of 
who&e  squares  is  24r. 

208.  In  every  hedge  my  second  is, 

As  well  as  every  tree, 
And  when  poor  school-boys  act  amiss, 

It  often  is  their  fee. 
My  first  likewise  is  always  wicked, 

Yet  ne'er  committed  sin, 
My  total  for  my  first  is  fitted. 

Composed  of  brass  or  tin. 

209.  My  first  is  a  pronoun  ;  my  second  is  not  high ; 
my  third  we  must  all  do  ;  my  fourth  is  a  pronoun  of  mul- 
titude ;  my  whole  is  musical. 

210.  What  is  the  difference  between  a  grandmother 
and  her  infant  grandchild  ? 

211.  Add  one  to  nine  and  make  it  twenty. 

212.  What  is  that  which  the  dead  and  living  do  at  the 
same  time  ? 

213.  When  winter  months  have  passed  away, 

And  summer  suns  shine  bright. 
You  ope  the  coffer  where  I  lay. 

And  bring  my  first  to  light. 
My  second  is  a  valiant  knight, 

Who  wears  his  crest  and  spur, 
And  when  he's  challenged  to  a  fight. 

He  does  not  long  demur. 
My  whole,  as  ancient  fables  say. 

Was  once  a  friend  of  Juno, 
In  dress  he  makes  a  great  display — 

His  name  by  this  time  you  know. 

814.  Why  is  a  bullet  like  a  tender  glance? 


215.  When  innocence  first  had  its  dwelling  on  earth, 

In  my  first's  lovely  form  it  alighted  ; 
And  still  to  this  time,  from  the  hour  of  its  birth. 

In  my  first  it  has  greatly  delighted. 
My  second's  a  part  of  a  smart  lady's  dress, 

Yet  on  age  it  may  also  be  found  ; 
Again,  'tis  a  garb  when  the  heart  feels  distress — 

And  my  whole  does  with  pleasure  abound. 

216.  Why  are  children  at  play  like  a  bird  in  hernest? 

3 


50  meeky's    booe:    of    pttzzles. 

217.  My  first  is  male  or  female,  young  or  old, 

'Tis  very  sad  if  you  are  forced  to  doubt  one; 
Much  must  we  pity  the  false  heart  or  cold, 

"Who  is  so  selfish  as  to  live  without  one. 
My  second  is  a  noble  work  of  art, 

Which  brings  together  distant  shores  and  lands; 
Though  neither  feet  it  has,  nor  head,  nor  heart, 

'Tis  often  furnished  with  a  hundred  hands. 
My  whole  in  youth  or  age,  sickness  or  health, 

In  joy  or  sorrow,  charms  to  life  can  give; 
Without  it,  all  in  vain  are  hoards  of  wealth,^ 

By  it  unblest  in  solitude  we  live. 

218.  What  spice  are  the  Hindoos  fond  of? 

219.  Why  is  a  dog  like  a  tanner  ? 

220.  Why  are  A  B's  successors  seedy? 

221.  What  is  nothing  good  for  ? 

222.  I  am  composed  of  four  letters — the  initials  of  four 
of  the  principal  personages  in  Europe — the  name  of  a 
river  in  Russia ;  transposed,  I  am  a  part  of  the  Crystal 
Palace  ;  transposed  again,  I  am  not  proud^  although  ele- 
vated above  the  heads  of  most  people. 

223.  My  first  is  when  the  summer  wind 

Sweeps  rustlingly  through  the  trees, 
When  the  jasmine  spray  and  the  eglantine 

Are  swayed  by  the  whispering  breeze ; 
My  second,  a  weapon  of  bloody  strife, 

Of  steel,  so  cruel  and  cold, 
Which  ruthlessly  takes  the  soldier's  life. 

The  cowardly,  and  the  bold; 
My  whole  is  a  Poet,  by  every  one  known, 

So  wide  is  his  renown. 

824:.  Why  is  the  letter  y  like  a  young  spendthrift? 


mebey's    book    of    puzzles, 


51 


225.  Why  is  memory  like  the  peacock  ? 

226.  My  first  in  the  garden  luxuriantly  grows, 
Delicious  and  sweet,  as  every  one  knows ; 
My  second  a  noisy,  vain,  garrulous  tiling, 
The  lord  of  a  harem,  as  proud  as  a  king ; 

My  whole  is  still  prouder,  and  seems  to  rejoice 
As  much  in  his  tail  as  he  does  in  his  voice. 

227.  One  man  said  to  another,  "  Give  me  one  of  your 
eheep,  and  I  shall  have  twice  as  many  as  you."  The 
other  replied,  "  No,  give  me  one  of  yours,  and  I  shall 
have  as  many  as  you."     How  many  had  each  ? 

228.  Where  were  potatoes  first  found? 

229.  Where  did  cherries  come  from  ? 

230.  Why  is  a  ship  under  full  sail  like  Niagara? 


52  merry's    book    of    ptjzzleb. 

231.  O'er  a  mighty  pasture  go 

Sheep  in  thousands,  silver  white ; 
As  to-day  we  see  them,  so 

In  the  oldest  grandsire's  sight. 
They  drink — never  waning  old — 

Life  from  an  unfailing  brook ; 
There's  a  shepherd  to  their  fold, 

"With  a  silver-horned  crook. 
From  a  gate  of  gold  let  out, 

Night  by  night  he  counts  them  over; 
Wide  the  field  they  rove  about, 

Never  hath  he  lost  a  rover : 
True  the  dog  that  helps  to  lead  them, 

One  gay  ram  in  front  we  sec ; 
What  the  flock,  and  who  doth  lead  them, 

Sheep  and  shepherd,  tell  to  me  ? 

232.  I  am  a  word  of  four  letters.  Take  off  my  hat,  and 
you  have  something  which  you  do  every  day.  Take 
off  my  head,  and  yon  have  a  preposition.  Leave  off  my 
head  and  put  on  ray  hat,  and  you  have  something  used 
before  a  door.  Entire,  and  taken  backward,  with  my 
two  middle  letters  transposed,  I  am  a  very  convenient 
thing.     I,  myself,  am  often  eaten. 

233.  What  part  of  a  ship  was  Cain  ? 

234.  What  animal  resembles  the  sea,  and  why  ? 

235.  What  animal  is  the  most  windy,  and  why? 

236.  What  animal  is  like  an  apothecary  ? 

237.  What  animal  is  like  a  stone-breaker? 

238.  A  man  had  a  bar  of  lead  that  weighed  40  lbs.,  and 
he  divided  it  into  four  pieces  in  such  a  way  as  to  allow 
him  to  weigh  any  number  of  pounds  from  one  to  forty 
How  did  he  manage  the  matter  ? 


239.  What  is  the  best  key  to  a  good  dinner  ? 

240.  Why  is  a  farm-yard  like  a  hotel  ? 

241.  If  a  woman  stands  behind  a  tree,  how  does  the 
tree  stand  ? 

242.  Wherein  does  a  turkey-cock  differ  from  a  lady  ? 

243.  Three  men  buy  a  grindstone,  40  inches  in  diame- 
ter, on  equal  shares.  Each  one  is  to  use  it  until  he  has 
worn  away  his  share.  How  many  inches  in  diameter 
must  each  one  use? 

244.  What  two  letters  of  the  alphabet  do  children  like 
best? 

245.  Why  are  Cashmere  shawls  like  deaf  persons  ? 


64  MERRY   S     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 

246.  Ye  mortals — wonder  !     I'm  an  elf, 

A  strange,  mysterious  thing; 
More  ])owerful  than  all  the  sprites 

Within  a  magic  ring. 
I  speak — although  I  have  no  tongue — 

I  speak,  and  thrill  the  soul ; 
I  sing — and  many  a  song  IVe  sung 

Resounds,  while  ages  roll. 
I  am  a  weapon,  strong  and  keen, 

All  made  of  glittering  steel ; 
But  human  souls — not  senseless  flesh^ 

My  sharp  two-edges  feel. 
The  greatest  writer  e'er  was  born — 

But,  ah  ! — a  thievish  elf; 
For  what  I  write  is  not,  alas ! 

Original  with  myself. 
I  often  take  a  cooling  bath ; 

But,  like  the  Ethiop's  skin, 
Wlien  I  have  bathed,  I'm  blacker  still 

Than  when  I  did  begin ! 
Most  kind  am  I;  I  glad  the  heart 

Of  many  a  wretched  wight, 
And  many  a  suflerer  is  by  me 

Transported  with  delight. 
Most  cruel  I ;  I've  pierced  the  soul 

With  cutting,  burning  darts ; 
I've  dashed  the  fondest  hopes  to  earth, 

I've  crushed  the  lightest  hearts. 
Yet  wise  and  powerful  as  I  am, 

A  very  slave  am  I ; 
I'm  forced  the  mandates  to  obey 

Of  both  the  low  and  high. 
Now,  witty  brains,  tell  who  this  is, 

Who  blesses  and  who  curses ; 
Who  has  no  hands,  yet  still  who  is 

The  writer  of  these  verses. 


MEREY    S     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES 


55 


247.  Wiy  is  an  Indian  like  a  flirt? 

248.  "W  by  is  an  Indian  like  a  scholar  ? 

249.  How  much  silk  is  required  to  make  a  spherical 
balloon,  16  inches  in  diameter,  without  allowing  lor 
seams  ? 

250.  All  children  love  to  go  to  sea,  and  why? 

251.  That  gentle  picture  dost  thou  know. 

Itself,  its  hues,  and  splendor  gaining? 
Some  change  each  moment  can  bestow, 

Itself  as  perfect  still  remaining ; 
It  lies  within  the  smallest  space. 

The  smallest  framework  forms  its  girth, 
And  yet  that  picture  can  embrace 

The  mightiest  objects  known  on  earth : 
Canst  thou  to  me  that  crystal  name 

(No  gem  can  with  its  worth  compare) 
Which  gives  all  light,  and  knows  no  flame  ? 

Absorbed  is  all  creation  there  ! 
That  ring  can  in  itself  inclose 

The  loveliest  hues  that  light  the  heaven, 
Yet  from  its  light  more  lovely  goes 

Than  all  which  to  it  can  be  given  I 


56  MERRY    8    BOOK    OF     PUZZLES. 

252.  From  6  take  nine,  from  9  take  10; 
From  40  take  50,  and  6  remain. 

253.  Why  is  marriage  like  truth  ? 

254.  Eequired  to  divide  45  in  four  parts,  so  that  the 
first  part  with  two  added,  the  second  with  two  subtracted, 
the  third  divided  by  two,  the  fourth  'multiplied  by  two, 
shall  equal  each  other. 

255.  Where  was  Major  Andre  going  when  lie  was 
captured  2 

256.  There  is  a  mansion,  vast  and  fair, 

That  doth  on  unseen  pillars  rest ; 
^o  wanderer  leaves  the  portals  there, 

Yet  each  how  brief  a  guest  I 
The  craft  by  which  that  mansion  rose, 

No  thought  can  picture  to  the  soul ; 
'Tis  lighted  by  a  lamp  which  throws 

Its  stately  shimmer  through  the  whole. 
As  crystal  clear,  it  rears  aloof 

The  single  gem  which  forms  its  roof, 
And  never  hath  the  eye  surveyed 

The  master  who  that  mansion  made. 

257.  Why  is  a  sculptor  like  a  man  who  "splits  his 
sides  with  laughter  ?" 

258.  Why  were  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees  like  a  great 
conflagration  ? 

259.  My  first  is  a  collection  of  water,  my  second  is 
used  when  fc-peaking  of  myself,  my  third  is  a  fruit,  my 
whole  is  a  town  in  Hindostan. 

260.  X  U  R,  X  U  B, 
X,  2  X  U  E  2  me. 

261.  Why  was  Daniel  like  ^Nebuchadnezzar's  image  ? 


MEKRY    8    BOOK    OF    PUZZLES, 


57 


SEE-SAW. 


262.  Several  things  are  riCcessary  to  make  this  sport 
safe  and  pleasant.  First^  a  strong  bar  on.  which  to 
balance  your  board  or  plank.  Secondly^  a  strong, 
straight-grained  board  or  plank,  which  will  not  crack 
nor  twist.  Thirdly^  an  equal  weight  at  each  end,  or 
nearly  so.  Fourthly^  a  clear  head,  and  a  steady  hand, 
or  foot,  to  keep  up  an  even  motion.  With  these  all  right, 
you  will  go  up  and  down  as  easily  and  smoothly  as  men 
of  business  do,  or  political  parties; — but,  hallo  there,  boys, 
John  has  tumbled  off,  and  you  will  have  a  smash  at  the 
other  end,  which  will  leave  John's  partner  in  doubt 
whether  he  is  up  or  down. 

263.  What  island  in  the  Pacific  is  always  at  this  sport? 

264.  What  is  there  at  the  same  time  philosophical  and 
ungrammatical  in  this  sport? 

265.  Why  is  an  elephant  like  a  lady's  veil  ? 

3* 


•  58  merry's  book  of  pitzzlbs, 

266.  I  was  before  the  world  begun, 
Before  the  earth,  before  the  sun  ; 
Before  the  moon  was  made,  to  light 
With  brighter  beams  the  starry  nigU  5 
I'm  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  * 

And  I  am  in  immensity; 

The  daily  motion  of  the  earth 

Dispels  me,  and  to  me  gives  birth  ; 

Yon  can  not  see  me  if  you  try, 

Although  I'm  oft  before  your  eye  ; 

Such  is  my  whole.     But,  for  one  part, 

You'll  find  in  taste  I'm  rather  tart ; 

Kow  I  become  the  abode  of  men — 

And  now,  for  groveling  beasts,  a  pen  ; 

I  am  a  man  who  lives  by  drinking ; 

Anon  I  keep  a  weight  from  sinking ; 

To  take  me,  folks  go  far  and  near ; 

I  am  what  children  like  to  hear ; 

I  am  a  shining  star  on  high ; 

And  now,  its  pathway  through  the  sky; 

My  strength  o'erpowers  botli  iron  and  steel; 

Yet  oft  I'm  left  behind  the  wlieel ; 

I'm  made  to  represent  a  head  ; 

Am  f6und  in  every  loaf  of  bread  ; 

Such  are  the  many  forms  I  take. 

You  can  not  count  all  I  can  make  ; 

Yet,  after  all,  so  strange  am  I, 

Soon  as  you  know  me,  then  I  die. 

267.  Henry  is  four  feet  high  and  William  is  five.  Tlie 
sum  of  their  heights  multiplied  by  five  is  equal  to  their 
father's  age,  plus  fifteen.     How  old  was  their  father? 

268.  My  first  is  the  name  of  a  river,  my  second  is  a 
pleasant  beverage,  my  third  is  what  we  are  too  apt  to  do, 
and  my  whole  is  the  name  of  an  ancient  city. 


MERRT8     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES.  59 

DEAF    AND    DUMB    ALPHABET. 


^ 


J  ! 


SINGLE    HANDKD    ALPHABET. 


£G9.  The  deaf  and  dumb  converse  with  each  other,  and 
with  their  teachers,  by  signs  made  with  their  hands. 
There  are  two  ways  of  making  the  letters  with  the 
fingers;  in  one,  both  hands  are  nsed;  in  the  other, 
only  one.  Above,  you  see  how  the  letters  are  made  with 
one  hand. 

2T0.  When  are  the  letters  like  the  keys  of  a  piano  ? 


60  MEEKYS     BOOK      OF     PUZZLES. 

271.  Up  and  down  two  buckets  ply 

A  single  well  within  ; 
Wliile  the  one  comes  full  on  high, 

One  the  deeps  must  win. 
Pull  or  empty,  never  ending, 

Ivising  now,  and  now  descending, 
A^lways  while  you  quaff  from  this. 

That  one  lost  in  the  abyss, 
From  that  well  the  waters  living 

Never  both  together  giving. 

272.  Come  from  my  first — ay,  come !  the  battle  dawn 
IB  nigh, 

And  the  screaming  trump  and  thundering  drum  are  call- 
ing thee  to  die ! 
Fight  as  thy  father  fought,  fall  as  thy  father  fell ; 
Thy  task  is  taught,  thy  shroud  is  wrought,  so  forward, 

and  farewell ! 
Toll  ye,  my  second,  toll  1    Fill  high  the  flambeau's  light. 
And  sing  thej  hymn  of  a  parted  soul  beneath  the  silent 

night  ,- 
The  wreath  upon  his  head,  the  cross  upon  his  breast. 
Let  the  prayer  be  said,  and  the  tear  be  shed — so  take 

him  to  his  rest. 
Call  ye  my  whole — ay^  call  the  lord  of  lute  and  lay. 
And  let  him  greet  the  sable  pall  with  a  noble  song  to- 
day; 
Go,  call  him  by  his  name  !  no  fitter  hand  may  crave 
To  liojht  the  flame  of  a  soldier's  fame  on  the  turf  of  a 
soldier's  grave. 

273.  Once  in  a  minute,  twice  in  a  moment,  once  in  a 
man's  life  ? 

274.  A  man  said.  "I  lie."     Did  he  lie,  or  did  he  tell 
the  truth  ? 


MERRY    S     BOOK     OF     P  U  Z  Z  L  li  S  . 


61 


275.  Why  is  the  butcher's  dog  in  the  parlor  like  your 
mother  receiving  strange  company  ? 

276.  Why  should   a   hound   never   be  admitted  into 
the  house  ? 

277.  Why  is  your  favorite  puppy  like  a  doll  ? 

278.  How  can  a  person  live  eighty  years,  and  see  only 
twenty  birthdays? 


62  meeey's    book    of    puzzles. 

279.  What  is  the  dilference  between  twenty  four  quart 
bottles,  and  four  and  twenty  quart  bottles  ? 

280.  How  will  you  arrange  four  9's  so  as  to  make  one 
hundred? 

281.  Amid  the  serpent  race  is  one 

That  earth  did  never  bear ; 
In  speed  and  fury  there  be  none 

That  can  with  it  compare. 
With  fearful  hiss — its  prey  to  grasp- 
It  darts  its  dazzling  course, 
And  locks  in  one  destroying  clasp 

The  horseman  and  the  horse. 
It  loves  the  loftiest  heights  to  haunt — 

No  bolt  its  prey  secures  ; 
In  vain  its  mail  may  valor  vaunt, 

For  steel  its  fury  lures ! 
As  slightest  straw  whirled  by  the  wind, 

It  snaps  the  starkest  tree  ; 
It  can  the  might  of  metal  grind. 

How  hard  soe'er  it  be  ! 
Yet  ne'er  but  once  tlie  monster  tries 

The  prey  it  threats  to  gain : 
In  its  own  wrath  consumed  it  dies, 

And  while  it  slays  is  slain. 

282.  A  went  to  a  shoemaker,  B,  and  ordered  a  pair  of 
boots.  At  the  time  appointed  for  their  completion,  A 
called  for  his  boots.  The  price  was  $5.  A  gave  B  a  20 
dollar  note,  which,  not  being  able  to  change,  he  went  to 
C,  who  gave  him  four  $5  notes.  B  gave  A  three  of  the 
notes,  and  kept  one.  The  next  day  C  came  to  B  and  told 
him  his  $20  note  was  a  counterfeit.  B  gave  C  four  $5 
notes,  three  of  which  he  borrowed  from  D.  How  much 
did  B  lose  by  the  operation  ? 


merry's    book    of    puzzles.  63 


283.  When  a  boy  falls,  what  does  he  fall  against? 

284.  When  he  is  caught  stealing,  what  does  he  catch? 

285.  How  many  feet  onght  a  thief  to  have? 

286.  Why  is  Tom  Tumbledown  like  Adam  when  he  saw 
the  applets 


64 

287.  A  friend  asserted  to  me  a  day  or  two  since,  that 
forty  horses  only  had  eighty-four  legs.  How  did  if 
come  ? 

A    RIDDLE    WITHIN    A    RIDDLE. 

288.  Moce  ye  inngeison  nose  hist  dilerd  suesg 
Ti  si  ton  cufidiift  oiiy  liwl  socfens, 

Thaw  si  hatt  burrnen — hiwhc  fi  oiiy  ivdedi, 
Ouy  hent  liwl  hington  veale  no  theire  dies? 

280.  Our  family  is  large,  but  not  much  more  than  one 
third  as  large  as  that  of  Jacob  when  he  went  to  live  in 
Egypt.  But,  like  the  family  of  that  ancient  patriarch,  we 
often  migrate  to  other  countries.  We  do  not  keep 
together,  whether  at  home  or  abroad ;  we  are  scattered 
about  in  every  direction, — at  once  masters,  servants,  and 
slaves  to  forty-four  millions  of  people.  Not  a  book  is 
printed  without  our  aid  ;  and,  what  is  stranger  still,  we  are 
all  found  at  the  same  time  in  every  book  in  every  library 
and  country  wliere  the  English  language  is  spoken ;  and 
on  almost  every  page.  Sometimes,  though  rarely,  two 
of  us  stand  side  by  side.  It  is  still  more  rare  for  us  all 
to  appear  together  arranged  in  the  same  order.  Nothing 
is  more  common  with  peo])le  than  to  place  us  in  rows  or 
ylatoons  j  but  whether  in  militia,  army,  or  navy — for  some 
of  us  are  employed  in  all  these — we  are  seldom  arranged 
twice  alike.  Sometimes  one  of  us  stands  first;  some- 
times another.  Sometimes  a  row  or  platoon  consists  of 
only  two  or  three  of  us ;  at  others  of  many  more ;  and 
occasionally  of  twelve,  fifteen,  or  twenty ;  and,  strangest 
to  relate  of  all,  we  can  be  so  placed  as  to  make  out  about 
50,000  rows,  no  two  of  which  will  be  exactly  alike.  Must 
we  not,  then,  be  a  useful  family?  And  what,  think  you, 
is  OMY family  name  ? 

290.  I  I  I  I  1  I  .  Add  five  more  marks  to  these 
six,  so  as  to  make  nine. 


MEHEYS     BOOK      OF     PUZZLES. 


291.  What 
tree  is  that, 
which  has 
twelve  branch- 
es,  thirty 
leaves  on  each 
branch,  and 
each  leaf  white 
on  one  side, 
and  black 
the  other  ? 


on 


292.  1.  What 

is  the  sociable  tree?     2.  And  the  dancing  tree? 
8.    And  the  tree  which  is  nearest  the  sea? 
4.    And  the  busiest  tree?     ^-  The  most  yielding  tree? 

6.  And  the  tree  where  ships  ma}^  be  ? 

7.  The  languishing  tree?     8.  The  least  selfish  tree? 
9-    And  the  tree  that  bears  a  curse  ? 

10.  The  chronologist  tree  ?     H-  The  fisherman's  tree  ? 

12.  And  the  tree  like  an  Irish  nurse? 

13.  What's  the  traitor's  tree  ?    14.  And  the  tell-tale  tree? 
15.  And  the  tree  that  is  warmest  clad? 

16    The  layman's  tree?     17.  The  housewife's  tree? 

18    And  the  tree  that  makes  one  sad? 

19.  What  the  tree  that  in  death  will  benight  you  ? 

And  the  tree  that  your  wants  will  supply? 

And  the  tree  that  to  travel  invites  you  ? 

And  the  tree  that  forbids  you  to  die? 

What  tree  do  the  hunters  resound  to  the  skies? 

What  brightens  your  house,  and  your  mansion  sus- 
tains? 

What  tree  urs^ed  the  Grecians  in  veno^eance  to  rise? 

And  fight  for  the  victims  by  tyranny  slain  ?     [you  ? 
26.  The  tree  that  will  fight  ?    27.  And  the  tree  that  obeys 


6Q  MEKEY's     BOOJi     OF     PUZZLES. 

28.  And  the  tree  that  never  stands  still  ? 

29.  And  the  tree  that  got  up?     so.  And  the  tree  that 

was  lazy  ? 
81-  And  the  tree  neither  up  nor  down  hill  ? 
82.  The  tree  to  be  kissed?     33.  And  the  dandiest  tree? 
**•  And  what  guides  the  ships  to  go  forth  ? 
8^-  The  unhealthiest  tree?      36.  And  the  tree  of  the 

people  ? 

87.  And  the  tree  whose  wood  faces  the  north? 

88.  The  emulous  tree?     89.  The  industrious  tree? 

40.  And  the  tree  that  warms  mutton  when  cold? 

41.  The  reddish-brown  tree?    42.  The  reddish-blue  tree? 
43   And  what  each  must  become  ere  he's  old  ? 

44.  The  tree  in  a  bottle?     45.  And  the  tree  in  a  fog? 

46.  And  the  tree  that  gives  the  bones  pain  ? 

47.  The  terrible  tree  when  schoolmasters  flog  ? 

48.  And  what  mother  and  child  have  the  name  ? 

49.  The  treacherous  tree  ?     ^0.  The  contemptible  tree  ? 
^1.  And  that  to  which  wives  are  inclined  ? 

^2.  The  tree  that  causes  each  townsman  to  flee  ? 

fi8.  And  what  round  fair  ankles  they  bind? 

^-  The  tree  that's  entire?      ^^-  And  the  tree  that  is 

split? 
^-  The  tree  half  given  to  doctors  when  ill  ? 
^7.  The  tree  we  offer  to  friends  when  we  meet? 
^8.  And  the  tree  we  may  use  as  a  quill  ? 
59   The  tree  that's  immortal?    60.  The  trees  that  are  not? 
61    And  the  trees  that  must  pass  through  the  fire  ? 

62.  The  tree  that  in  Latin  can  ne'er  be  forgot, 
And  in  England  we  all  must  admire  ? 

63.  The  Egyptian  plague  tree  ?     64.  And  the  tree  that 

is  dear? 
65.  And  what  round  itself  doth  intwine? 
66   The  tree  that  in  billiards  must  ever  be  near? 
67.  And  the  tree  that  by  cockneys  is  turned  into  wine? 


MEEEYS     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 


67 


293.  Which  of  the  planets  would  the  tortoise  like  best 
to  live  in  ? 

29-i.  Why  is  a  picture  surrounded  by  books  like  a 
happy  man  ? 

295.  Mother  sent  Mary  for  an  evergreen.  The  gar- 
dener brought  a  holly.  Mary  pointed  to  the  sky,  and  the 
gardener  brought  what  she  wanted.  What  did  Mary 
mean? 

296.  When  the  day  breaks,  what  becomes  of  the  frag- 
ments ? 

297.  ISTovus  vir  bonus  vir  ivit  ad  caudam  vel  habere 
saam  vesteni  homines  mortuos. 

298.  EE  Marriage  ee. 

299.  What  bird  is  that  which  has  no  wings  ? 

300.  Add  something  to  9  to  make  it  less. 


68  merry's    book    of    puzzles. 

301.  Why  is  Satan  on  a  shed  like  a  bankrupt? 

302.  How  is  it  that  trees  put  on  their  summer  dresses, 
without  opening  their  trunks? 

303.  Of  three  words  make  one,  by  the  insertion  of  a 
single  letter. 

304.  Of  a  word  of  one  syllable,  make  a  word  of  throe 
syllables,  by  the  addition  of  a  single  letter.    . 

305.  Ages  ago,  when  Greece  was  young, 
And  Homer,  blind  and  wandering,  sung; 
Where'er  he  roamed,  through  street  or  field, 
My  first  the  noble  bard  upheld'; 

Look  to  the  new  moon  for  my  next, 
You'll  see  it  there,  but  if  perplexed, 
Go  ask  the  huntsman,  he  can  show 
My  name — he  gives  it  many  a  blow ; 
My  whole,  as  you  will  quickly  see, 
Is  a  large  town  in  Tuscany, 
Which  ladies  soon  will  recognize — 
A  favorite  head-dress  it  supplies. 

306.  Why  is  an  elephant  like  a  chair  ? 

307.  Mr.  — wood  being  at  the  .  of  king  of  terrors,  10 
mills  for  his  quakers,  and  who,  which  and  what.  They 
odor  for  Dr.  Juvenile  Humanity,  [who  |  ^  to  Dr.  Hay 
preservers,  and  little  devil  behold  scarlet  his  assistance ; 
but,  B  4:  he  arrived,  the  not  legally  good  changed  color, 

J  taker  ,   o 

and  -:^  was  ct  lor. 

308.  Given  the  street  and  the  hour,  to  find  at  once  the 
number  of  children  in  the  street. 

309.  Given  the  section  of  the  city,  to  find  at  once  the 
number  of  loafers  and  vagabonds  that  infest  it. 


MEBKY    S     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES, 

CHRISTMAS   TREE. 


310.  This  is  a  very  curious  and  interesting  kind  of  a 
tree.  It  is  found,  loaded  with  every  variety  of  strange 
fruity  on  tables,  bare  floors,  or  carpets.  It  has  no  roots, 
but  is  most  wonderful  for  its  yielding  powers,  though  it 
bears  only  once  a  year,  and  that  always  on  Christmas 
Eve.  The  last  one  that  I  saw  was  at  Uncle  Iliram  Hatch- 
et's.    Cousin  Hannah  thus  describes  it : 

*'  At  last,  when  none  of  us  expected  it,  he  (Uncle  H.) 
threw  open  the  folding  doors,  and  let  us  into  the  little 
parlor.  There  was  displayed  the  Christmas  tree,  in  all 
its  glory.     Every  little  twig  bore  some  present;   dolls 


70 

and  doll  furniture,  pins,  ear-rings,  bracelets,  slippers, 
watch-guards  and  purses,  ships,  windmills,  and  beautiful 
books,  besides  all  sorts  of  fruits  and  bon-bons,  and  all 
blazing  with  light  from  the  numberless  candles  that 
Beemed  to  grow  out  of  the  branches." 

A  tree  that,  without  life  or  root, 
Without  a  blossom,  bud,  or  flower, 

Bears  various  and  most  precious  fruit. 
That  comes  and  goes  in  one  short  hour. 

311.  My  first  is  an  adjective,  short  and  dry. 
Which  an  absence  of  moisture  seems  to  imply, 
Or,  in  reference  to  mind,  that  kind  of  wit. 
Which  is  slack  on  the  rein,  and  sharp  on  the  bit. 
My  second  is  a  sort  of  hole,  or  den, 

Unfit  for  the  resort  of  timid  men. 

Whence  once  the  righteous  came  safely  out, 

While  the  wicked  were  wholly  put  to  rout. 

My  whole  is  an  author  of  classic  fame. 

If  you  know  the  man,  please  tell  me  his  name. 

312.  What  poet  do  miners  value  most  ? 

313.  What  poet  is  least  distinguished  for  brevity  ? 

314.  Which  of  the  English  poets  would  be  most  likely 
to  make  a  lion  feel  at  home  ? 

315.  Why  were    the   Amalekites    never    allowed    to 
speak  ? 

316.  Which  of  the  reptiles  is  a  mathematician  ? 

317.  What  Scripture   character  would   have   made 
Buitable  husband  for  a  tall  laundress  ? 

318.  What  two  syllables  of  the  marriage  ceremony 
most  interesting  to  the  priest  ? 


KERKT   S     BOOK     OF     PUZZLES, 


71 


319.  What  part  of  a  house  measures  about  two  quarts! 
320   When  is  a  door  not  a  door? 

821    Why  are  ladies  sitting  on  the  stoop,  like  an  unfin- 
ished house  ? 

322.  What  stone  opens  and  shuts  at  your  convenience! 

323.  Read  see  how  me 
Down  will  I  love 
And  you  love  you 

p  Up  and  you  if 

itb      ,  Why  is  a  thing  purchased  like  a  shoe  ? 


72  merky's    book    of    puzzles. 

325.  "Why  is  a  man  who  makes  a  wager  of  a  cent,  like 
a  person  recovering  from  illness  ? 

326.  Why  is  an  unpaid  bill  like  the  moisture  in  the 

morning? 

327.  Why  is  a  sanguinary  epistle  like  a  surgeon  ? 

828.  Ere  from  the  east  arose  the  lamp  of  day, 
Or  Cynthia  gilt  the  night  with  paler  ray — 
Ere  earth  was  form'd,  or  ocean  knew  its  place, 
Long,  long  anterior  to  the  human  race 
I  did  exist.     In  chaos  I  was  found, 
When  awful  darkness  shed  its  gloom  around. 
In  heaven  I  dwell,  in  those  bright  realms  above, 
And  in  the  radiant  ranks  of  angels  move. 
But  when  th'  Almighty,  by  his  powerful  call, 
Made  out  of  nothing  this  stupendous  ball, 
I  did  appear,  and  still  upon  this  earth 
Am  daily  seen,  and  every  day  have  birth. 
With  Adam  I  in  Paradise  was  seen. 
When  the  vile  serpent  tempted  Eve  to  sin ; 
And,  since  the  fall,  I  with  the  human  race 
Partake  their  shame  and  manifest  disgrace. 
In  the  dark  caverns  of  old  ocean  drear 
I  ever  was,  and  ever  shall  appear. 
In  every  battle  firmly  I  have  stood,  [blood. 

When  plains  seem  lav'd,  whole  oceans  dy'd  with 
But,  hold — no  more !    It  now  remains  with  you 
To  find  me  out  and  bring  me  forth  to  view. 

329.  Why  is  a  lost  child  like  you  ? 

330.  Why  is  Fremont  equal  to  eight  honest  politicians? 

331.  IIow  did  Jonah  feel  when  the  whale  swallowed 
him? 

332.  Why  were  the  Hebrews  called  sheep? 


meeby's    book    of    puzzles 


73 


833.  Why  5s  it  dangerous  to  flirt  in  a  hay-field  ? 
334:.  Under  what  tree  is  it  most  proper  to  make  love? 

335.  Under  what  shade  can  you  dance  best? 

336.  Why  is  a  dashing  young  buck  a  favorite  with  the 
ladies  ? 

337.  1.  I  am  constantly  in  the  midst  of  money.  2.  I 
am  contiiinally  putting  people  in  possession  of  property. 
3.  I  increase  the  number  of  most  things  that  come  in  my 
way.  4.  1  am  no  friend  to  the  distressed  needlewomen, 
for  I  render  needles  unnecessary.  5.  Yet  whenever  1 
undertake  a  dress,  I  infallibly  make  it  sit.     6.  I  am  quar- 


74  merry's    book    of    puzzles. 

relsome,  for  a  word  and  a  blow  is  my  maxim.  7.  In  fact, 
with  rae  a  word  becomes  a  weapon.  8.  And  merriment 
becomes  slaughter.  9.  It  is  commonly  remarked  that 
drink  converts  men  into  swine,  but  I  transform  wine 
itself  mto  the  same  animals.  10.  Deprived  of  me,  certain 
railway  speculations  come  out  in   their   true   character 

11.  A  team  can  draw  a  wagon  well  without  rae,  still, 
when  I  am  in  front,  the  speed  is  wonderfully  increased. 

12.  Marvelous  products  may  be  obtained  from  peat,  but 
when  I  am  extracted  from  earth,  pure  oil  alone  remains. 

13.  Let  me  go  before,  and  a  story  is  sure  to  be  stale. 

14.  And  if  I  am  left  out,  it  will  be  political.  15.  I  am 
strongly  attached  to  pluralities.  16.  With  respect  to 
free  trade,  I  turn  corn  itself  into  contempt.  17.  I  am  in 
the  midst  of  Kussia  and  Prussia,  and  abundant  among 
the  Swiss.  18.  Were  I  withdrawn  from  that  unhappy 
country,  Spain,  nothing  would  be  left  but  grief.  19.  Af- 
ter sport,  when  I  take  my  departure,  the  evening  is  often 
finished  with  wliat  remains.  20.  At  a  soiree  I  am  always 
in  good  time.  2i.  In  person  I  am  much  bent,  though  I 
was  formerly  more  upright.  22.  As  to  my  education,  I 
was  always  head  of  the  school.  23.  Though  invariably 
at  the  bottom  of  my  class.  24.  With  me  age  looks  wise. 
25.  But  a  gentleman  is  better  without  me,  as  accompa- 
nied by  me  he  appears  feminine.  26.  On  the  contrary, 
a  lady  ought  not  to  part  witli  me,  for  if  she  loses  me  she 
seems  masculine.  27.  I  am  an  unwelcome  visitor,  for 
with  me  sorrow  begins  and  happiness  ends.  28.  Sadness 
commences,  and,  29.  Bliss  terminates.  30.  Yet  it  is  in 
my  power  to  transform  cares  into  what  is  delightful. 

33S.  Nebuchadnezzar's  lions  were  very  undevout  when 
Daniel  was  with  tliem,  and  very  poetical  with  his  ene- 
mies.    Please  explain. 

339.  Why  is  a  hunter  like  an  omnibus  pickpocket? 


MEERYS     BOG^     OF     PUZZLES. 


76 


yf.  <C     —    ^ 


340.  Figures,  they  say,  won't  lie  ;  but  here 
Is  something  either  false  or  queer. 

I  find  that,  in  my  family, 
One  taken  from  two  still  leaves  me  three, 
And  two  from  two,  by  the  same  score, 
Leaves  a  remainder  of  just  four. 

341.  My  first  is  a  measure  much  used  in  the  East, 
Or  a  close-covered  vehicle  drawn  by  one  beast ; 
My  second  is  a  prefix — a  small  preposition — 
Two  thirds  of  a  tavern — a  paid  politician  ; 

My  whole,  though  part  of  a  vessel,  has  stood 
Alone  on  the  prairie,  or  'neath  the  great  wood, 
And  often  is  found,  poor,  wretched,  and  mean, 
The  city's  proud  palaces  squatting  between. 


76  merry's  boo^'J!-  ^    ^uzzj^es. 

BLACK-EYED  MARY'S   ALGEBRAICAL   PROBLEM. 

342.  Take  two  numbers,  such  that  the  square  of  the 
first,  plus  the  square  of  the  second,  shall  equal  8;  while 
the  first,  plus  the  product  of  the  first  and  second, 
shall  equal  6. 

H  B. — If  any  choose  to  work  this  ont  algebraically,  it  mU  be  foirnd  to 
be  no  trifling  puzzle.    See  Merry's  Museum  for  1856. 

343.  What's  that  the  poor's  most  precious  friend, 

Nor  less  by  kings  respected — 
Contrived  to  pierce,  contrived  to  rend, 

And  to  the  sword  connected. 
It  draws  no  blood,  and  yet  doth  wound ; 

Makes  rich,  but  ne'er  with  spoil ; 
It  prints,  as  earth  it  wanders  round, 

A  blessing  on  the  soil. 
The  eldest  cities  it  hath  built. 

Bade  mightiest  kingdom  rise ;  it 
Ne'er  fired  to  war,  nor  roused  to  guilt : 
Weal  to  the  states  that  prize  it ! 

344.  When    is    a   political   candidate    like  Samson's 

guests  ? 

345.  What  is  the  most  suitable  dance  to  wind  off  a 
frolic  ? 

346.  Revolving  round  a  disk  I  go 

One  restless  journey  o'er  and  over; 
The  smallest  field  my  wanderings  know. 

Thy  hand  the  space  could  cover : 
Yet  many  a  thousand  miles  are  passed 

In  circling  round  that  field  so  narrow: 
My  speed  outstrips  the  swiftest  blast. 

The  strongest  bowman's  arrow. 

347.  Why  are  buckwheat  cakes  like  the  caterpillar? 


MEERY    8     BOOK      OF     PUZZLES. 


77 


348.  What  relation  does  the  soap-bubble  bear  to  the 
boy  who  makes  it  ? 

34:9.  Why  do  girls  blow  bubbles  better  than  boys  f 

350.  What  is  the  difference  between  a  boy  and  hifl 
shadow  ? 

351.  Why  is  a  soap-bubble  like  Adam  ? 

352.  I  have  no  life,  yet,  as  I  fly, 
A  thing  of  beauty  to  the  eye, 

I  bear,  my  glittering  shape  beneath, 
A  part  of  my  Creator's  breath ; 
With  ever-changing  shade  and  hue 
I  rise  and  vanish  from  the  view, 
And,  though  a  phantom  deemed,  I  share, 
In  portions,  water,  earth,  and  air. 


T8  merky's    book    of    puzzles. 

353.  I  go,  but  never  stir, 

I  count,  but  never  write, 
I  measure  and  divide,  and,  sir, 

You'll  Und  my  measures  right. 
I  run,  but  never  walk, 

I  strike,  but  never  wound, 
I  tell  you  much,  but  never  talk, 

In  my  diurnal  round. 

354.  When  a  boy  falls  into  the  water,  what  is  the  first 

thing  he  does  ? 

355.  How  would  the  proposed  removal  of  the  Pope  to 
Jerusalem  be  a  false  move  for  the  Papacy,  and  a  true 
one  for  the  Papal  States  ? 

356.  Why  is  a  coachman  a  generous  raan? 

357.  Why  is  a  dog  like  a  clock-maker's  safe? 

358.  Why  is  the  cook  more  noisy  than  a  gong  ? 

359.  Describe  a  partisan,  and  answer  a  question  in  the 
same  words. 

360.  A  word  of  one  syllable  call  to  your  mind. 
The  letters  of  which  will,  if  rightly  combined, 
Provide  you  with  two  kinds  of  fuel — ay,  more, 
A  warm  piece  of  clothing — and  fasten  your  door. 

361.  Let  two  Roman  fives  at  extremities  meet. 

At  the  right  hand  of  these,  add  two  circles  com- 
plete ; 
Then  five  times  one  hundred  place  at  the  right  hand, 
And  a  nice  winters  comfort  they  make  as  they 
stand. 

362.  What  number  is  that  which  can  be  divided  by 
2,  3,  4,  5,  and  6,  leaving,  in  each  case,  a  remainder  of  I, 
and  by  7,. without  a  remainder? 

363.  How  lono^  aoro  were  trunks  first  used? 


meeey's    book    of    puzzles. 


79 


#-^ 


'// 1- 


864.  I'm  black  or  whit^^  1  .a  brown  or  gray, 
I'm  tall  or  flat,  I'm  grnve  or  gay, 
As  soft  as  wool,  or  sti.'Fas  tin, 
A  nest  for  wits  to  nestle  in. 
I  liold  great  intellects,  yet  oft 
Am  bothered  with  the  weak  and  eoft, 
And  sometimes  crnsty,  liard,  and  tliickp 
They  fill  me  witii  we     bnrncd  brick. 
Fashion  controls  mc-,  vet  I  wear 
Some  aspects  to  make  fashion  stare. 
Thonofh  always  for  one  place  designed, 
I  chancre  as  often  as  the  wind. 


80  mebby's  book  of  puzzles. 

I'm  dumb,  and  yet,  in  spite  of  that, 

Make  more  than  half  of  every  "  Chat," 

I'm  mild — yet  none  can  hate — (don't  doubt  me) 

Nor  raise  a  fighting-cock  without  me. 

865.  In  every  home  I  stand  confessed, 
A  friend  of  quiet,  peace,  and  rest ; 
Take  off  my  head,  and  on  your  head 
My  streamers  rise,  black,  brown,  or  red ; 
Cut  now  again,  and  take  my  neck  off, 
You  leave  my  substance  not  a  speck  of, 
But,  with  ethereal  lightness  gay, 
I  pass  in  idle  breath  away. 

366.  What  relation  is  the  door-mat  to  the  scraper? 

367.  In  what  do  grave  and  gay  people  differ  at  church! 

368.  "What  sea  would  make  the  best  sleeping-room  ? 

369.  'Tis  said  of  lawyers  Grab  and  Clinch, 
They  take  an  ell  when  you  offer  an  inch ; 
But  I  can  do  a  smarter  thing — 

Give  me  an  ell,  I  will  make  it  ring ; 

If  for  advice  you  come  to  me 

When  you  are  ill,  I  call  for  the  fee ; 

If  any  road  you  chance  to  wend, 

You  think  you've  reached  the  very  end, 

I  come  and  give  it  such  a  turn. 

You  find  there's  something  yet  to  learn  ^ 

If  to  the  inn  you  seek  for  rest, 

I  chuck  you  in  a  box  or  chest ; 

The  beggar's  rags  I  make  so  proud, 

He  of  his  garments  boasts  aloud ; 

The  aged  and  infirm  with  me 

Lose  caution  and  timidity  ; 

For,  young  or  old,  to  every  one 

I  furnish,  if  not  muscle,  bone. 


MERRY     6     BOOK    OF     PUZZLES, 


81 


370.  Why  is  a  spotted  dog  most  reliable  ? 

371.  In  what  does  a  dog  differ  from  a  groom  in  his 
treatment  of  a  horse  ? 

372.  One  of  a  gallant  vagrant  band, 
My  name  is  known  in  every  land  ; 
In  all  earth's  changes  I  am  there ; 
Without  me  none  may  war  declare, 
Or  treat  of  peace,  or  try  their  parts 
On  manufacture,  tillage,  arts  ; 

By  me  a  patient  saint  of  old 
"Was  changed  into  a  warrior  bold  ; 
I  made  old  Abner's  father  near  ; 
His  wife  was  deaf,  I  made  her  hear; 
His  house  I  put  upon  his  back ; 
His  jaw  an  iron  bond  I  make  ; 
Bad  spirit  by  my  presence  claims 
To  be  the  end  of  human  aims ; 
And  a  young  bear  is  seen  to  bo 
A  coveted  jewel  of  the  sea. 
4* 


82  merry's    book    of    puzzles. 

373.  Problem. — To  make  a  restless  child  quiet  and  con* 
tented. 

374.  Problem — To  teach  a  child  to  be  honest,  indas- 
trious,  and  usefal. 

375.  Why  is  Merry's  Museum  like  a  note  falling  due  ? 

876.  I  consist  of  eleven  letters. 

My  9th,  7th,  and  1st,  is  where  infants  often  repose; 

"   3d,  10th,  and  7th,  is  a  foreign  plant  much  used 
by  us ; 

"   1st,  7th,  5th,  9th,  4:th,  and  11th,  is  to  treat  by 
word  of  mouth ; 

"    6th,  4th,  7tli,  and  8th,  is  a  delicious  fruit; 

"   2d,  7th,  and  3d,  to  do  which  affords  great  satis- 
faction ; 

"   4th,  7th,  and  5th,  is  an  essential  part  of  the 
head ; 

"   3d,  10,  7th,  and  8th,  is  often  used  for  joy  or 
sorrow ; 

"   whole  is  the  name  of  a  distinguished  writer 
for  Merry's  Museum. 

377.  Why  is  Merry's  Museum  like  a  good  wife  ? 

378.  I  am  composed  of  twelve  letters. 

W.  2,  all  6,  2,  10,  with  10,  5,  2,  9,  which  a  12,  8, 1,  7,  5, 
i,  6,  6,  11,  4,  10,  not  to  have,  and  which  a  3,  8,  1,  12,  5, 
9,  11,  4,  2,  1.  5,    12,  i.  6,  11,  9,  2,  6. 

379.  Why  is  Merry's  Museum  like  a  good  mother  ? 

380.  What  was  the  difference — can  you  show — 
Between  the  Prodigal  in  his  woe, 

And  Lazarus,  in  his  low  estate. 
Feeding  on  crumbs  at  Dives'  gate? 

381.  What  fish  does  a  bride  wear  on  her  finder? 

382.  Why  is  Merry's  Museum  like  a  printing-office  ? 


ANSWERS   TO   PUZZLES. 


1.-  The  rose  shall  cease  to  blow. 

The  eagle  turn  a  dove, 
The  stream  shall  cease  to  flow, 

Ere  I  will  cease  to  love. 
The  sun  shall  cease  to  shine. 
The  world  shall  cease  to  move. 
The  stars  their  light  resign. 

Ere  I  will  cease  to  love. 

2.  Short  shoes  and  long  corns  to 
the  enemies  of  freedom. 

3.  The  rope-maker. 

4.  Because  they  can  not  be  got  off 
without  a  bow  (beau). 

5.  Because  he  stops  at  the  sound 
of  wo. 

6.  One  takes   the   dish  with  the 
egg- 

7.  One,  after  which  his  stomach  is 
aot  empty. 

8.  The  smallest. 

9.  The  first  geometrical  puzzle  is 
solved  in  this  way — 


/ 

A 

3 

z 

* 

The  second  puzzle  is  solved  in  this 
way — 


The    different   colors  represent  tb4 
several  sons'  portions. 

10.  The  tiger  couches  in  the  wood, 
And  waits  to  shed  the  traveler's 

blood ; — 

So  couch  we. 
We  spring  upon  him  to  supply 
What  men  unto  our  wants  deny ; 

And  so  springs  he. 

11.  Work,  work,  work! 
My  labor  never  flags ; 

And  what  are  its  wages  ?    A  bed 
of  straw, 
A  crust  of  bread — and  rags. 
That  shattered  roof— this  naked 
floor, 
A  table — a  broken  chair. 
And  a  wall  so  blank,  my  shadow  I 
thank 
For  sometimes  falling  there ! 
With  fingers  weary  and  worn. 
With  eyelids  heavy  and  red, 
A  woman  sat  in  unwomanly  rags. 
Plying  her  needle  and  thread- 


SQ 


AX  S  WEES     TO     PUZZLES, 


Stitch  !  stich  !  stitch  ! 
In  poverty,  hunger,  and  dirt, 

And  still  with  a  voice  of  dolorous 
pitch. 
She  sang  the  "  Song  of  the  Shirt." 

12.  A  pack  of  cards. 

13.  Striking. 

H.  Because    words    are   passing 
between  them 

15.  Footman. 

16.  Because  his  is  all  7iet  profit. 

17.  Because  he  is  siirrounded  with 
dues  (dews). 

18.  Adam. 

19.  Heroine. 

20.  Spark. 

21.  Tear. 

22.  Because  it  is  a  bad  habit. 

23.  Because  it  is  felt. 

24.  Because  it  is  a   resting-place 
for  the  traveler. 

26.  There's  a  grim  hearse  horse, 

In  a  jolly  round  trot, 

To  the  churchyard  a  poor  man  is 
going,  I  wot. 

The  road  it  is  rougli, 

And  the  hearsg  has  no  springs. 

And  hark  to  the  dirge  the  sad 
driver  sings — 

"  Rattle  his  boues  over  the  stones, 

He's  only  a  pauper,  whom  no- 
body owns." 

26    Of  all  the  birds  that  e'er  I  did  see, 
The  owl  is  the  strangest  in  every 

degree, 
For  all  the  long  day  she  sits  in  a 

tree, 
And  when  the  night  comes,  away 

flies  she. 

To  whit-to-whoo. 
To  whom   drinkest    thou '      Sir 

Noodles,  to  you. 


This  song  is  well  sung,  I  make 

you  a  vow. 
And  he  is  a  knave  that   aileth 

now. 
Nose,  nose,   and  who  gave  thee 

that  jolly  red  nose  ? 
Cinnamon   and  ginger,   nutmeg 

and  cloves. 
And  they  gave  me  my  jolly  red 

nose. 

27.  To  ashes. 

28.  Short. 

29.  Shakespeare. 

30.  Time. 

31.  Wallace. 

32.  Because  they  are  often  toasted. 

33.  Because  he  is  always  for  get- 
ting. 

34.  I,  ser. 

35.  Because   he    has    nothing   to 
boot. 

36.  Full  five  hundred  years  I've  hung, 

lu  my  old  grey  turret  high. 
And  many  a  different  theme  I've 
sung. 
As  the  hours  went  winging  by. 
I've  pealed  the  chimes  of  a  wed- 
dhiL^  morn ; 
Ere  night  I've  sadly  tolled  to 
say 
That  the  maid  was  coming  love 
lorn, 
And  here  I  end  my  lay. 

37.  The    joyfid   can    sing    on  spirit 

viugs 
Each  morn  his  lofty  height. 
In   rapt'rous    notes    he   sweetly 
sings. 
Anl    hails     th'    approaching 
light ; 
But  I  from  grief  no  solace  know. 

No  portal  from  th3  night, 
All  joys  to  me  insipid  grow, 
Aiford  me  no  delight. 

38.  Because  it  is  often  tolled  (told) 


NSWEKS      TO     PUZZLES, 


87 


89.  Your  name. 

40.  The  letter  M. 

41.  Forty- eight  feet. 

42.  In  solying  this  question  it  is 
clear  that  to  pick  up  the  first  stone 
and  put  it  into  the  basket,  the  person 
must  walk  two  yards,  one  in  going 
for  the  stone  and  another  in  return- 
ing with  Tt ;  that  for  the  second  stone 
he  must  walk  four  yards,  and  so  on 
increasing  by  two  as  far  as  the  hund- 
redth, when  he  must  walk  two  hund- 
red yards,  so  that  the  sum  total  will 
be  the  product  of  202  multiplied  by 
60,  or  10,000  yards.  If  any  one  does 
not  see  why  we  multiply  202  by  50 
in  getting  tlie  answer,  we  refer  him 
to  his  arithmetic. 

43.  Hour-glass. 

44.  Pen-man-ship. 

45.  There  was  a  man  who  was  Nott 
born, 
His   father  was  Nott   born   be- 
fore him  ; 
*  *    He  did  Nott  live,  he  did  Nott  die. 
And    his    epitaph    is  Nott   o'er 
him. 

46.  Because  it  is  in  firm  (infirm). 

47,  To  keep  his  head  warm. 

48.  Hark!  the  mufflad  drum  sounds 
the  last  march  of  the  brave. 

The  soldier  retreats  to  his  quar- 
ters, the  grave, 

Under  Death,  whom  he  owns  his 
Commander-in-chief, 

No  more  he"ll  turn  out  with  the 
ready  relief; 

But  in  spite  of  Death's  terrors 
or  cannon's  alarms. 

When  he  hears  the  lapt  trump 
he'll  5  tana  to  his  arms  ! 

Farewell!  brother  sol(Ker.s,  in 
peace  may  you  rest. 

And  light  lie  the  turf  on  each 
veteran  breast, 

Until  that  review  when  the  souls 
of  the  brare 


Shall  behold  the  chief  ensign, 
fair  mercy's  flag,  wave ; 

Then,  freed  from  Death's  terrors 
and  hostile  alarms, 

When  we  hear  the  last  trump, 
we'll  stand  to  our  arms. 

49.  Doctor  Long  expects  Dr.  Short 
to  explain  the  misunderstanding  be- 
tween them. 

50.  To  you  who  live  single,  if  this  at 
all  trouble  you, 

My  first  comes  in  kindness,  com- 
manding to  double  you. 

And  again,  it  will  double  you,  if, 
like  a  clown, 

You  lift  high  your  sole,  and  bend 
your  head  down ; 

Or,  cut  it  in  twain,  two  Vs  will 
appear, 

And  Fcounting^oe,  both  make 
ten  it  is  clear. 

My  second,  alas !  comes  shrouded 
in  gloom, 

It  is  O,  which  makes  wo,  the 
sinne7-'s  sad  doom. 

Now  see  what  a  change  comes 
over  the  scene. 

If  my  third,  which  is  O,  be  added 
again. 

Now  'tis  U100 — and  what  bache- 
lor's heart  does  not  beat, 

To  tcoo  a  sweet  damsel,  to  keep 
warm  his  feet ; 

To  cheer  by  her  smiles  his  lone 
hours — and  thus 

Escape,  by  good  fortune,  the 
bachelor's  curse ! 

My  fourth  and  my  last,  as  I'll 
go  on  to  tell. 

Is  nought  more  or  less  than  a 
capital  L. 

Now  L  heingf fifty,  will  even  di- 
vide 

One  Hundred,  or  teachers  and 
books  have  all  lied. 

Now  examine  with  care,  and 
plain  you  will  see 

That  to  unlock  a  secret,  an  L  is 
the  key  ; 

For  tvoo,  with  L  added,  is  chang- 
ed into  ivool. 

Whether  worn  on  a  sheep,  or  an 
African's  skull. 


88 


ANSWERS     TO     PUZZLES. 


Whether  made  into  clothing,  for 

bed  or  for  body, 
For  "  sage  jiotitician,^'  or  some 

other  noddy. 
It  is  used,   the  world  over,  in 

commerce  and  trade ; 
But  its  last  use,  I  trow,  was  to 

make  a  charade. 


61. 


SONG   OF    THE    SVS. 


Not  a  rose  that  blooms, 
Not  a  ring  that  assumes 

The  rainbow's  beautiful  front, 
But's  indebted  to  me, 
As  ye  plainly  see. 

For  the  scent  or  splendor  on  't. 
The  moon  and  the  stars 
That  around  ye  roll, 

The  systems  ye  can  not  discern, 
Are  warmed  by  my  rays, 
And  partake  of  the  soul 

And  the  spirit  that  in  me  burn. 
And  nothing  throws  back  with  such 

splendor  my  rays, 
As  the  sea's  mighty  mirror  in  mid- 
summer days. 

62.  And  like  the  temple  of  this 
"body,  the  cloud-capped  towers,  the 
gorgeous  palaces,  the  solemn  temples, 
the  great  globe  itself  shall  fall,  and, 
like  this  insubstantial  vision  faded, 
leave  not  a  rack  behind. 

63.  Letter!. 

54.  When  it  is  a  cutter 

65.  Letter  N. 

66.  Five  when  peeled. 
^7.  He  is  a  bit  of  a  buck. 

58.  His  daughter. 

59.  It  matures  by  falling  dew. 

60.  Ben-ha-dad. 

61 .  Because  it  is  never  peeled  (peal- 
ed) but  once. 

62.  Because  it  is  every  year  doub- 
ling ^Dublin). 

68.  Tobacco. 


64  The  nose 

65  Because  they  have  so  many 

panes  (pains). 

66  J'ai  grand  appetit.   Allonasou- 
per. 

67.  Water. 

68.  Ice. 

69    Those  that  come  after  T. 

70.  'Twas  at  night,  when  the  bellhad 

tolled  twelve, 
And  poor  Susan  was  laid  on 
her  pillow, 
In  her  ear  whispered  some  fleet- 
ing elf — 
♦•  Your  love  is  now  tossed  on 
the  billow" 

Far,  far  at  sea. 
All  was  dark  as  she  woke  out  of 
breath — • 
Not  an  object  her  fears  could 
discover  ; 
All  was  still  as  the  portals  of 
death, 
Save  fancy,  which  painted  her 
lover 

Far,  far  at  sea. 
So  she  whispered  a  prayer,  closed 
her  eyes. 
But  the  phantom  still  haunted 
her  pillow. 
While  in  terror  she  echoed  his 
cries, 
As  struggling  he  sunk  on  the 
billow 

Far,  far  at  sea. 

71.  Lightly  tread — 'tis  holy  ground : 
Countless  dead  hark,  hark  around ; 
Angel  guards  their  watches  keep, 
^Vhile  frail  mortals  sink  to  sleep  : 
And  the  moon,  with  feeble  rays. 
Gilds  the  stream  that   bubblin|5 

plays. 
And  murmurs,  as  soft  it  flows. 
Music  meet  for  lovers'  woes. 

72.  Eye. 

73.  Canister. 

74.  Forte  tu,  atrox    tenes,  forti 
Sexto  Fortinato 


ANSWERS     TO     PUZZLES. 


89 


76   The  forceps  pfnclies,  the  awl 
punches. 

76.  At  the  peaceful  midnight  hour. 
Every  sense  and  every  power 
Chained  lies  in  downy  sleep ; 
Then  our  careful  watch  we  keep, 
"While  the  wolf,  in  nightly  prowl, 
Bays  the  moon  with  hideous  howl ; 
Closed  are  bars,  a  vain  resistance ; 
Shrieks  are  raised,  but  no  assist- 
ance; 

Silence !  or  you'll  meet  your  fate ; 
Your  keys,  jewels,  money,  plate. 
Locks,   bolts,   and    bars  soon  fly 

asunder. 
Then  to  rifle,  rob,  and  plunder. 

77.  Ad-here. — In-here.— Co-here. 

78.  Because  only  the  bony  pari  is 
left. 

79.  He  is  known  by  his  axe  (acts). 

80.  XII.,  that  is,  a  cross  two  i's 
(across  two  eyes). 

81.  Because  he  kneads  (needs)  it 
most. 

82.  The  letter  R. 

83.  The   coward  skulking  round  a 
house. 
Is  like  a  mouse-trap  as  you  see, 
For  that  will  puzzle  any  mousey 
And  pusillanimous  is  he. 

84.  Green  grass  is  like  a  mouse,  be- 
cause the  cattle  eat  it  (cat  'U  eat  it). 

85.  It  is  not  aloud  (allowed). 
Private  earing  (privateering) 

is  unlawful. 

86.  Salt-cellar. 

87.  Because  it  is  not  cnrrant  (cur- 
rent). 

88.  Glorious  Apollo  from  on  high  be- 
held us 

Wand'ring  to  find  a  temple  for  his 
praise ; 

Sent  Polyhymnia  hither  to  shield  ns 

While  we  ourselves  such  a  temple 
might  raise. 

Thus  then.  Guards,  hands  and  hearts 
joining. 


Sing  we  in  harmony  Apollo's  praise. 

Here  every  generous  sentiment 
awaking. 

Music  inspiring  our  mutual  joy. 

Each  social  bumper  giving  and  par- 
taking. 

Song  and  good  cheer  our  time  employ. 

89.  To  let  you  know  he  is  coming. 

90.  Because  of  the  sand  which  is 
(sandwiches)  under  your  feet. 

91.  Mag-pie. 

92.  His  father  was  translated. 

93.  But-ton. 

94.  A  shoe. 

95.  On !  by  the  spnr  of  valor  goaded. 

Pistols  primed  and  rifles  loaded. 

Courage  strikes  on  hearts  of 

steel. 

"While  each   star    through    the 

dark  gloom  of  night, 
Lends  a  clear  and  cheering  light, 
AVho  a  doubt  or  fear  can  feel  ? 
Now  through  woods  like  serpents 

creeping. 
Then  on  our  prey  like  lions  leap- 
ing. 
Calvert  to  the  onset  leads  us. 
Let  the  weary  traveler  dread 
us. 
Struck  with  terror  and  amaze ; 
"While  our  swords  in  lightning 

pouring, 
Thunder  to  our  rifles  roaring. 

96.  AbeU. 


97. 


cbd 

^^^TTq  hours  to  go  down. 

2a 

^  average  rate  of  rowing 

c+b 
d"^  hours  to  go  up. 

cb 
jq:^  time  up. 

db 

— j-%  time  down 

2a 
r-  miles  per  hour. 


90 


ANSWERS     TO     PUZZLES. 


98  The  hounds  gain  6  rods  in  every 
21  They  must  therefore  run  as 
many  times  2 1  rods  as  G  will  go  into  96. 
Therefore  96  ^  6^16.  21=o36  I'ods. 


99.        e 

O    ©    ®    9 

e    9    ®    O 


o  ©  d  e 
G  ® 


O  ©    Q    Q    Q 

100.  He  wrote  s  before  it,  making 
it  six. 

101.  Live,  evil,  vile,  Levi,  veil. 

102.  When  the  rosy  dawn  awaking 
Paints  with  gold  the  verdant 
lawn ; 
Flies,  on  the  wings  of  time  dis- 
porting, 
Sip  the  sweets  and  taste  the 
dawn. 
Warbling  birds    the   day  pro- 
claiming. 
Singing  sweet  the  lively  strain; 
They  forsake  their  leafy  dwell- 
ing. 
To  secure  the  golden  grain. 
See ;  content  the  humble  gleaner 
Picks  the  scattered  ears  that 
fall. 
Nature.all  her  children  viewing. 
Kindly  bounteous  cares  for  all. 

103    Musk-raelon,  if   your  second 
is  turned  inside  out;  thus,  lem-on. 

104.  Merry's  Museum. 

105.  "  Now  before  you." 

106.  Pat-ten. 

107.  Because  it  is  far  fetched  and 
full  of  nonsense 

108.  Make  an  impression. 

109    Sweet  are  the  rosas  that  bloom 

by  yon  fountain, 
And  sweet  are  the  cowslips  that 

spangle  the  grove. 
And  sweet  is  the   breeze  that 

blows  o'er  the  mountains  ; 
But  sweeter  by  far  is  the  lad 

that  I  love. 


I'll  weave  a  gay  and  fresh  bloom- 
ing garland. 
With  l\lies  and  roses. 
And  SAveet,  blooming  posies, 
To  give  to  the  lad  my  heart  tells 

me  1  love. 
May  the  brow  of  the  brave  never 
want  a  wreath  of  laurel. 

110.  ]\lay  the  trees  of  liberty  flour- 
ish round  the  globe,  and  every  man 
partake  of  its  fruit.  May  the  wings 
of  love  never  lose  a  feather 

111.  Prescription— proscription. 

112.  Bar-gain 

113.  1,600 -f- 32  =  50.  502x16  = 
40,000 

114.  Tanner. 

115.  Because  it  makes  a  ynan  gp. 

116.  Hand-eL 

117.  Wave,  thou  royal  purple  stream. 
Gilded  by  the  solar  beam 

In  my  goblet  sparkling  rise. 
Cheer  my  heart,  and  glad  mine 

eyes. 
My   spirit   mounts   on    fancy's 

wing, 
Anointing  me  a  merry  king. 
While  I  live,  Fll  lave  my  pipe. 
When  I'm  dead  and  gone  away. 

Let  my  drinking  partner  say 
A  month  he  reigned,  but  that 

was  ripe. 

118.  No  gems  which  plumed  fortune 

wears. 

No  drop  that  hangs  from  beau- 
ty's ears, 

Nor  the  bright  stars  which 
night's  blue  vault  adorn. 

Nor  rising  suns  that  gild  the 
vernnl  morn, 

Shine  with  such  lustre  as  the 
tear  that  breaks 

For  other's  woe  down  virtue's 
manly  cheeks. 

119.  Frankfort-on-the-Maine. 

120.  Pdb-band. 


ANSWERd   TO   PUZZLES 


91 


121.400-^16  =  25.    0/25  =  5- 
five  seconds. 

122.  Because  they  have  arms  and 


123.  (  v/  60  —  302  =  51.96152 
(  V^  00  —  402  =  44.72136 

96.68288.  Ans. 

124.  1,785. 

125.  'Tis  good  to  tread  the  church- 
yard's walks, 
And  mark  the  graves  on  either  side; 
Or  where  the  rough  old  sexton  talks 
With   sheer   contempt    of    human 
pride ; 
To  contemplate  the  scattered  bones 
That  meet  the  eye  so  often  there  ; 
To  read  the  inscription  on  the  stones, 
And  think  what  fleeting  things  we 
are. 
'Tis  good  at  twilight's  sober  hour, 

To  sit  on  some  neglected  tomb, 
And  dwell  on  death's  all-startling 
power, 
And  muse  upon  our  certain  doom. 
Because  these  thoughts  are  sure  to 
win 
The  spirit  more  or  less  from  sin. 

126.  Aching  teeth  are  bad  tenants. 

127.  Patch-work. 

128.  A  draft. 

129.  It  is  good  for  nothing  till  it  is 
cracked. 

130.  When  his  brother  Jacob 
shaved  him. 

131 .  Because  they  blacken  the  face 
cf  Washington. 

132.  The  figure  8. 

133.  Certainly  ;— Webster  says  : 
*'  spotitaneuus  is  applicable  to  ani- 
mals destitute  of  reason." 

134  A  living  sinner's  transgres- 
sion procured  damnation. 

A  dying  Redeemer's  passion  pur- 
chased salvation. 


135.  Early  to  bed,  and  early  to  rise. 
Makes  a  man  healthy, 
Wealthy,  and  wise, 

136.  Music  awaTcea 
The  native  voice  of  undissembled 

joy. 

And  thick   around  the  woodland 

hymns  arise. 
Roused  by  the  cock,  the  soon-clad 

shepherd 
Leaves  his  moissy  cottage,  where 

with  peace 
He  dwells,  and  from  the  crowded 

folds  in 
Order  drives  his  flock,  to  taste  the 

verdure  of 
The  morn. 

137.  Friday. 

138.  W. 

139.  He  is  an  earnest  bee-leaver.] 

140.  A  portrait. 

141.  He  carries  his  own  trunk. 

142.  The  oak— (a-corn). 

143.  Ful-ton. 

144.  Harrow. 

145.  They  are  four-sighted  (fore- 
sighted). 

146.  Because  the  cart  is  before  tlie 

horse. 

147.  Harrow. 

148.  A  book. 

149.  Because  it  makes  ire  fire. 

150.  (Arithmetical  Puzzle.) 

151.  Rats — tars — arts — stars. 

152.  When  it  is  sat-in. 

153.  Sarsaparilla.    Dr.  Townsend. 

154.  XI  divided  —  gives  six.     IX 
divided  in  the  same  way,  gives  four, 

155.  The  letter  0. 


92 


ANSWEE8     TO     PUZZLES 


166.  The  one  was  Maid  of  Orleans, 
the  other  was  made  of  chittim  wood. 

157.  Sunshine  and  shadow. 

158.  Pen-knife. 

159.  (Leap  Frog.) 

160.  Bed-ford. 

161.  C— R  (Seer). 

162.  I  ate  nothing  Monday 
163. 


«       •      •     •  • 

164.  Be  not  too  wise,  nor  over  nice, 
for  you  see  what  a  fool  you  be. 

165.  The  shoe— U. 

166.  He  is  fed  from  a  loft. 

167.  He  is  bride-led. 

168.  For  every  grain  they  give  a 
peck. 

169.  Pondicherry. 

170.  One  ought  to  wait  fer  tea. 
171. 

SUIT.    MOW.  TITM.    WXD.    THUB.    FBI.    BAT. 

a  f  p 
bdn 

ghi|cmp|cficgn|cdk  chl 

klm  f  k  o  dhm  d  i  ojeran 


abcladglakn  ae  laho 
defjbehlblobfmbip 


a  im 
bgk 
ceo 
d  1  p 
gmojh  f  n 


nopli  Inlegphkpjfg  1 

172.  Bible. 

173.  125. 


174.  Because  without  it  life  is  a 
lie,  or  it  makes  life  a  lie. 


175.  They  secure  (seek  your)  monfij 

176.  Fowl,  owl,  wolf. 

177.  Mar,  ram,  arm. 

178.  Itbreaks  the  kernel  (colonel) 

179.  Windmill. 

180.  Always  in  floxir. 

181.  AduUam  (a  dull  lamb). 

182.  The  chin-chilla  (chilly). 

183.  She  is  miss-taken  and  miss* 
led. 

184.  Because  three  scruples  make 
a  dram 

185.  The  ball-room. 

186.  When  it  back-bilee. 

187.  Co-nun-dram 

188.  Log-book. 

189.  Hannah — ^hand 

190.  It  is  but  D  sent,  as  you  8e«, 

If  you  500  send, 
But  truly  XL  lent  'twill  be. 
When  you  the  40  lend. 

191.  Awheel. 

192.  He  presses  them  with  a  goose. 

193.  The  moon. 

194.  One  that  needs  darning. 

195.  Ann,  sir. 

196.  Elliptical— a-lip-ticklei 

197.  B-o-y. 

198.  Mate — (eat-meat-at-tea) 

199.  In-co-he-rent. 

200.  Amen,  name,  mean, 

201.  Grog-shop. 

202.  Vela,  vale,  veal,  lave. 


ANSWERS    TO     PTTZZLBS 


93 


203.  Not! 

204.  In  court-ship,  as  marry-ners. 

205  Light-bouse.     ' 

206  Sureti-ship. 

207.  5  and  7. 

208.  Candle-stick. 

209.  Me-lo-di-ons. 

210.  The  one  is  careless  and  happy, 
the  other  is  hairless  and  cappy. 

211.  /X— cross  the  /,  it  makes  XX. 

212.  Lie. 

213.  Pea-cock. 

214.  Because  it  pierces  hearts. 

215.  Child-hood. 

216.  In  earnest  (in  her  nost). 

217.  Friend-ship. 

218.  Cayenne  (K.  N.). 

219.  He  is  known  by  his  bark. 

220.  They  are  C  D. 

221.  Good  for  nothing 

222.  Neva,  nave,  vane. 

223.  Shake-speare. 

224.  Because  it  makes  Pa-pay. 

225.  It  has  eyes  behind 

226.  Pea-cock. 

227.  7  and  5. 

22&  In  the  ground. 
229    From  the  tree. 

230.  Because  she  shows  her  flow- 
irg  sheets. 

231.  Moon  and  stars. 

282.  Meat  (eat — at — mat— team) 


233.  The  tiller. 

234.  The  lion,  because  he  tous, 
and  has  a  flowing  mane  (main). 

Leviathan,  because  he  swal- 
lows up  the  rivers. 

235.  The  buU,  because  he  hellowt 
The  whale,  because  he  blows, 

236.  The  ass,  because  he  brays. 
Dr.  Pott's  horse,  because  a 

Pott  he  carries. 

237.  The  rooster,  because  he  pieJa 
and  crows. 

238.  1,  3,  9,  27,  are  the  weights 
of  the  several  pieces. 

239.  A  tur-key. 

240.  It  is  generally  patronized  by 
gobblers. 

241.  In  the  grov  J. 

242.  He  flourishes  his  fan  behind 
him. 

243.  1st,  7.36.   2d,  9.56.    3d,  23. 
08. 

244.  C-and-y— candy. 

245.  Because  we   can   not  make 
them  here  (hear). 

246.  A  steel  pen. 

The  weapon's  a  steel  pen  ^  I  think. 
Unless  I've  made  a  blunder ; 
When  Hatchet  dips  it  in  the  ink, 
I'd  like  to  stand  from  under. 
"  Old  lady"— quotha!  think  of  that . 
My  goodness — heart- alive ! 
I  tell  you,  Mr.  Hatchet— flat ! 
I'm  scarcely  sixty-five. 

247.  He  has  many  cast-oflf  bowa 
(beaux). 

248.  He  is  a  well  re(a)d  man. 

249.  804,247,552  square  inches 

250.  Because  c-and-y  q[)ell  candy 

251.  The  eye. 


94 


ANSWERS     TO     PUZZLES, 


252.  S I  X     IX     XL 

IX        X  L 

SIX 

253.  Because  it  is  a  certain  tie 
(certainty). 

254.  8,  12,  20,  5. 

255.  To  the  gallows 

256.  The  earth  and  firmament. 

257.  Because  he  makes  faces  and 
busts  (bursts). 

258.  Because  they  "devoured  wid- 
ows' houses." 

259.  Pond-i-cherry. 

260.  Cross  you  are,  cross  you  be. 
Cross,  too  cross,  you  are  for 

me. 

261.  Because  the  lions  could  not 
eat  him. 

262.  (See-saw.) 

263.  Hi-lo. 

264.  It  places  the  present  (see) 
before  the  past  (saw). 

"   265.  Because  there  is  a  6  in  both. 

266.  Obscurity,  in  which  may  be 
found  sour,  city,  sty,  sot,  buoy,  tour, 
Btory,  orb,  orbit,  rust,  rut,  bust, 
crust. 

267.  He  was  30  years  old. 

268.  Exe-te-r. 

269.  (Deaf  and  dumb  alphabet.) 
•   270.  When  they  are  fingered. 

271    Day  and  night. 

272.  Camp-belL 

273.  The  letter  M. 

274.  K  he  told  the  truth,  he  lied; 
if  he  lied,  he  told  the  truth. 

He  lied.     If  he  did  lie,  he 
wonld  not  say  so 


275.  He  is  a  ma'  stiff. 

276.  He  eft a5f 5  the  deer  (dear)  and 
is  never  chased  (chaste). 

277.  Because  he  is  a  pup-pet. 

278.  He  must  be  bom  on  the  29tlx 
of  February. 

279.  56  quarts  difference. 

280.  99| 

281.  Lightning. 

282.  $15,  and  boots. 

283.  Against  his  will. 

284.  A  whipping, 

285.  16^  =  a  rod. 

286.  He  is  about  to  fall. 

287.  Forty  horses    have    80  fore 
legs. 

288.  Come,  ye  ingenious  ones,  this 

riddle  guess, 
It  is  not  difficult,  you  will 

confess. 
What  is  that  number  which, 

if  you  divide. 
You  then  will  nothing  leave 

on  either  side  ? 
The  number  -8- 

289.  The  alphabet. 

290.  N  I  N  E . 

291.  The  year,  12  months,  30  days, 
night  and  morning,  black  anJ 
white. 

292.  1.    The  Tea  10.  Date, 

tree.  11.  BaiJ. 

2.  Hop  vine.  12.  Honeysuckle, 

3.  Beech.  13.  Judas. 

4.  Bee.  14.  Peach. 

5.  India-rubber.  16.  Fir. 

6.  Bay-k  16.  Bon  Chretien. 

7.  Pine.  17.  Broom. 

8.  Yew  cYoUjiiot  I).  18.  Cypress 

9.  Fig.  19.  Nightshade 


ANSWERS     TO     PUZZLES 


95 


Brcadfniit. 

Orange    (0- 

range). 

Olive  (0-live). 

Hound. 

Lime. 

Linden. 

Box 

Dogwood. 

Aspen. 

Rose. 

Sloe. 

Plane.  56. 

Tulip. 

Spruce.  57. 

Tiller-tree  or  58. 

elm  (helm). 

Sycamore.         59. 

Poplar. 

Southernwood  60. 

Ivy. 

Scrub  oak. 

Burning  bush 

Hazel. 

Lilac. 

Elder. 

Cork. 


maid    o'    the 

mist. 

Boneset. 

Birch. 

Damson. 

Slippery  elm. 

Medlar. 

Will-o ! 

Man-go. 

Sandal. 

Holly 


(cof- 


(as 
Vitse 


Smoke  tree,  or  67. 


Clove. 
Coffee 
fee). 
Palm. 
Aspen 
pen). 
Arbor 
(tree  of  life). 
Tallow,  snow- 
ball. 

The  ashes. 
Laurel. 
Locust. 
Silver. 
Woodbine. 
Mace. 
Vino. 


293.  Herschell  (her  shell). 

294.  It  is  in  a  good  frame  of  mind. 

295.  'Twas  the  fir  ma'  meant. 

296.  They  are  dissolved  in  light. 

297.  Newman  Goodman  went    to 
Qxe  tailor  to  have  his  coat  mended. 

298.  Too  (2)  great  ease  before  mar- 
inage,  too  little  ease  after  it. 

299.  A  jail  bird. 

300.  IX  — SIX.      . 

301.  He  is  an  imp  over  a  shed.  (Im- 
poverished.) 

302.  rhey  leave  them  out. 

803.  I— 0— A 

Insert  W,  it  makes  Iowa. 
"      T,  "      Iota. 

S04.  Are— A-re-a. 


305.  Leg-horn. 

306.  Because  it  can't  climb  a  tree. 

307.  Mr.  Dashwood,  being  at  the 
point  of  death,  sent  for  his  friends 
and  relatives.  They  sent  for  Dr 
Childs,  who  inclosed  a  few  lines  to 
Dr.  Barnes  and  imp-lo-red  his  assis- 
tance. But  before  he  arrived,  the 
invalid  died,  and  the  undertaker  wm 
sent  for. 

308.  Beat  a  base-drum,  or  grind  a> 
hand-organ. 

309.  Get  up  a  brawl,  or  an  alarm 
of  fire. 

310.  (Christmas  tree.) 
3U.  Dry-den. 

312.  A  Cole-ridge. 

313.  Long-fellow. 

314.  A  Dry-den. 

315.  Their  king  was  A-gag. 

316.  The  adder. 

317.  A-hi-tub. 

318.  The  last  two  (money). 

319.  The  stoop. 

320.  When  it  is  a-jar. 

321.  They  are  without  dooML 

322.  A-gate. 

323.  Read  down  and  up. 
And  you  will  see 
How  I  love  you. 

If  you  love  me. 

324.  It  \a  sold. 

825.  He  is  a  little  better, 

326.  It  is  due 

327.  It  is  a  letter  of  blood. 

328.  The  letter  A. 

329.  He  gives  it  up 


96 


ANSWERS     TO     PUZZLES. 


880.  They  are  the  candid  8  (can- 
didate) of  their  party. 

331.  Down  in  the  mouth. 

332.  Descended  from  A-ram. 

333.  There  are  more  rakes  than 
beaux  there. 

334.  Under  a  pear  (pair)  tree. 
S3o.  Under  a  hop- vine. 

836.  Because  he  is  a  deer. 

337.  The  letters. 

338.  First,  they  were  not  inclined 
to  prey,  and  afierwards  they  were 
Tovtii-owa. 

339.  He  rifles  the  deer  (dear). 
840.  One  child  from  two  parents 

makes  3. 

Two  children  from  two  pa- 
Tents  make  4. 

341.  Cab-in. 

342.  2  and  2 

343.  The  ploughshare. 

344.  When  he  «'  gives  it  up." 

345.  A  reel. 

346.  The  shade  on  the  dial. 

347.  They  are  the  grub  that  makes 
the  butter  fly. 

348.  It  is  his  heir  (air). 

349.  They  are  more  airy. 

350.  The  boy  can  see  his  shadow, 
The  shadow  can't  see  him. 

851.  It  has  breathed  into  it  the 
breath  of  life. 

352.  A  soap-bubble. 

353.  A  clock. 

354.  He  gets  wet. 

S55.  It  would  make  if.  a  lie. 
It  would  make  Italy. 

356.  He  carries  his  reins  (heart)  in 
bis  hand. 

357.  He  may  keep  a  watch,  but  he 
can't  tell  the  time  of  day. 

358.  The  gong  makes  a  din. 
The  cook  makes  a  dinner. 

869.  One-sided,  sir. 
Once  I  did,  sir. 
860.  Cloak — oak— coal — lock. 

361.  Wood. 

362.  301. 


363.  In   the  Eastern  wars,  when 
elephants  were  employed. 

364.  Hat — hate — hatch. 

365.  Chair. 

366.  A  step  farther. 

367.  The  one  close  their  eyes. 
The  other  eye  their  clothes 

368.  A-dri-atic. 

369.  The  letter  B. 

Of  ell,  it  makes  bell. 

"  ill,  "  biU. 

"  end  "  bend. 

♦'  in  «  bin. 

"  rags  "  brags. 

"  old  «  bold. 

"  one  "  bone. 

370.  He  is  always  on  the  spot, 

371.  The  dog  worries  hina. 
The  groom  curries  him; 
The  dog  bites  him, 
The  groom  bits  him. 

372.  The  letter  A.  / 
It  changed  Job  to  Joab.  1 

made  Ner  -  near.  ! 

"     her  -  hear.  ' 

"      cot  -  coat 

*'      gin  -  gain. 

«      cub  -  Cuba. 

373.  Give  him  Merry's  Museum. 

374.  Let  him  subscribe  for  Merry*i 
Museum,  and  always  pay  in  advance. 

375.  It  is  always  expected  with 
interest.  y 

876.  The  "  lap"  is  the  place  where  infanii^ 

repose. 
And  "  tea"  is  a  plant  that  we  use  ; 
To  "  Parley"  's  to  treat  by  word,  I  suppoe* 

And  "  pear"  is  a  fruit  we  all  choose. 
Many  youth  like  "  to  eat,"  I'm  afraid,  ' 
yond  measure. 
And  part  of  the  head  is  the  "  ear," 
And  what  is  more  common  than,  when 
feel  pleasure. 
Or  grief,  to  give  vent  to  a  "  tear." 
"  Peter  Parley"  's  distinguished  I'm  sure  i 
a  writer. 
And  welcom'd  by  all  with  a  smile ; 
And  surely  no  book  is  a  greater  exciter 
Than  this,  which  goes  many  a  mile. 

377.  It  is  cheap  at  any  price. 

378.  Merry's  Museum. 

379.  It  instructs  and  amuses  chU 
dren.  ^ 

380.  The  one  suffered  wantonly, 
The  other  from  want  only. 

381.  Her-ring. 

382.  Because  it  contains  valuaU 
articles,  wood-cuts,  etc.  ' 


ROBERT  MERRY'S 

SECOND 


BOOK  OF  PUZZLES.     ^ 


EDITED  BY  ROBERT  MERRY. 


NEW    YORK: 
THOMAS    O'KANE,    PUBLISHED, 

130  NASSAU   STKEET. 


PREFACE. 


In  presenting  to  the  public  tliis  'New  Book  of  Puzzi.e8, 
I  must  present  my  thanks  for  the  many  kind  expression? 
received  in  regard  to  those  already  published.  It  has 
been  compiled  during  my  leisure  moments  of  the  pas^ 
season,  for  the  benefit  of  the  numerous  readers  of  Merry's 
Museum,  and  contains,  in  a  compact  form,  many  of  the 
Puzzles,  Enigmas,  Hieroglyphics,  etc.,  which  have  ap- 
peared in  the  Museum,  together  with  many  new  ones  • 
and  is  presented  with  the  hope  that  it  may  be  the  means 
of  interesting  the  young  folks  around  their  own  fireside 
homes,  rather  than  seek  amusement  elsewhere.  . 

ROBERT    IVIERRY, 


ROBERT  MERRY'S 


SECOND 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLES. 


5  ROBEBT 

3.  My  first  is  (in  sonnd)  what  my  second  often  does ; 
my  whole  is  a  turning-point. 

4.  My  first  is  found  in  every  country  of  the  globe ;  my 
second  is  what  we  all  should  be ;  my  whole  is  the  same 
as  my  first. 

5.  The  XLKt  FX  of  a  100150500  |^^— H  X500er 
104i5lty  K  l?ab50. 

6.  Entire,  I  am  a  period  of  time ;  behead  me,  I  am  an 
article  of  food ;  again  behead  me,  and  I  am  used  for  food. 

/  7.  Entire,  I  am  an  emblem  of  beauty ;  behead  me,  and 
U  am  a  powerful  liquid ;  curtail  me,  and  I  am  a  preposi- 
tion ;  replace  my  head,  and  I  am  a  useful  article. 

'     KUIL 
P  E  aS 

9.  "Why  was  !N'oah  saved  without  a  Pope  ? 

10.  What  is  the  only  word  in  the  English  language  that 
can  be  written  without  pen,  pencil,  chalk,  or  any  other 
pigment  ? 

11.  I  am  composed  of  9  letters.  In  me  may  be  found : 
1,  a  title ;  2,  a  metal ;  3,  a  weight ;  4,  a  coin ;  5,  one  of 

^  Merry  cousins ;  6,  part  of  a  wheel ;  7,  neat ;  8,  an  ad- 
j ;  9  and  10,  two  prepositions.     My  whole  is  a  plac 
,  New  York  State. 

12.  Entire,  I  am  a  country ;  curtail  me,  and  I  am  an  in- 
habitant of  the  same  ;  behead  and  transpose,  and  I  am  to 
prevent. 


^ 

; 


13.       My  first  is  seen  in  pillared  halls, 

Where  kings  and  princes  dwell ; 
'Tis  found  in  every  woodland  vale, 

In  every  sunny  dell. 
Upon  the  yellow  sandy  beach, 

The  ocean  billows  roar, 
My  next — you'll  find  it  in  the  foam, 

Rippling  upon  the  shore. 


Within  the  dark  and  gloomy  cave, 

Hid  from  the  sun's  bright  glare, 
Precious  jewels  line  the  walls, 

And  my  third  is  always  there. 
My  fourth  and  last  is  found  in  France, 

But  never  seen  in  Spain  ; 
It  has  always  been  in  England's  clime, 

In  every  monarch's  reign. 
My  whole  from  Jupiter's  court  on  high, 

Descends  to  cheer  the  earth  ; 
Without  his  presence  there  would  be 

Of  happiness  a  dearth. 

14.  I  am  composed  of  14  letters : 

My  1,  4,  3,  1,  9,  6  is  a  handsome  kind  of  cloth. 
My  2,  5,  11  is  a  conjunction. 
My  8,  T,  5,  9  is  a  number. 
My  10,  3,  12,  13  is  to  kill. 
My  whole  is  a  celebrated  day. 


16.  Entire,  I  am  a  sentence;  behead  me,  and  I  am  a 
fortress;  curtailed,  I  am  to  strive  violently;  now  trans- 
pose, and  I  am  inexperienced. 

17.  Behead  a  slipping,  and  leave  the  slip. 
18. 


^  O  ^^ 


BOOK    OF     PUZZLES, 


19.  A  fox,  90  rods  due  south  of  a  greyhound,  is  pur- 
sued by  the  hound  at  the  rate  of  5  rods  to  4  of  the  fox, 
the  fox  running  a  due  east  course.  How  far  will  the 
hound  run  to  overtake  the  fox  ? 

20.  What  kind  of  morals  are  most  easily  put  on  and  off? 

21.  My  first  is  a  female. 

My  second  the  same. 
My  whole  is  much  dreaded — 
Pray  what  is  its  name  ? 

22.  I  am  composed  of  four  syllables,  and  am  very  pop- 
ular just  now ;  my  first  and  second  form  a  Latin  verb ;  my 
third  is  a  species  of  animal ;  my  first,  second,  and  third 
form  a  kind  of  rule  ;  my  fourth,  reversed,  is  thin  and  nar- 
row ;  and  my  third  and  fourth,  without  my  final,  is  intel- 
lectual. 


10 


ROBERT    MERRY    9 


23.  "Why  are  unprotected  hearth-fires  like  insolent  beg*- 
gars? 

24.  I  am  composed  of  14  letters. 
My  13,  11,  7,  3,  1,  12  is  a  dream. 
My  8,  14,  10,  9  is  a  net. 

My  1,  6,  8,  4,  13,  14,  2,  5  is  a  balance. 
My  whole  is  a  celebrated  man. 

25.  Entire,  I  am  a  noun ;  behead  and  transpose,  and  1 
am  lean  ;  replace  my  head,  curtail  me,  and  I  am  necessa- 
ry to  the  accomplishment  of  any  great  object ;  curtail  me 
again,  transpose,  and  I  am  sometimes  used  as  a  seat. 


26. 


RNO 


27.  "Why  are  most  of  the  heroes  and  heroines  in  novels 
like  the  letter  O  ? 

28.  What  poet  is  like  a  sly  piece  of  bacon  ? 

29.  I  cheer  the  pilgrim's  lonely  way. 
As  toils  he  on  from  day  to  day  ; 
Curtail  me,  and  I  then  am  found 
What  students  do  on  college  ground  ; 
Curtail  once  more,  and  by  inspection 
You'll  find  I  am  an  interjection. 

30.  What  kind  of  a  diary  is  productive  of  mischief? 


BOOB.    OF    PUZZLES. 


11 


31.  Entire,  I  am  a  murmur ;  curtail  me,  and  I  signify 
to  produce ;  omit  my  first  and  last,  and  I  am  a  disturb- 
ance ;  and  without  my  first  two  I  am  a  bird. 

32.  My  first  speeds  proudly  through  our  land  ; 

My  next  is  what  my  first  doth  do ; 
My  whole  is  one  of  that  noble  band 

Who  signed  the  freedom  of  our  land, 
And  struggled  bravely  through. 

33.  Transpose  a  wrong  way  of  treating  another's  regard 
into  the  most  foolish  manner  of  doing  it. 

34.  My  second,  which,  by  the  way,  I  hope  you  have, 
took  my  first  after  using  my  whole  at  dinner. 

35.  Behead  an  animal,  transpose,  and  find  a  flower. 


12 


EOBEET    MERRY'S 


w 


ED 


37.  I  am  a  word  of  five  letters  ;  in  my  normal  condition 
I  have  a  tendency  to  heal.  Transposed.  I  still  have  a  ten- 
dency to  heel^  and  have  been  known  to  take  to  them  when 
opportunity  offered.  Less  one  fifth,  I  bathe;  again  trans- 
posed, I  am  good  to  eat.  Four  fifths  transposed,  form  an 
article  much  used  as  an  ornament ;  the  same  again  trans- 
posed, is  to  preserve.  Three  fifths,  properly  arranged, 
will  intoxicate.     Tliree  fifths,  in  right  order,  make  a  prayer. 


x®®mm,^<:m 


39.  When  did  Job  call  nicknames  ? 

40.  Did  Jonah  cry  when  the  w^hale  swallowed  him  ? 

41.  Curtail  a  ruler  ;  transpose,  and  leave  a  fastening. 

42.  Curtail  a  coin,  and  transpose  it  into  a  country. 

43.  When  is  roast  beef  most  valuable? 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLES, 


13 


44.        Fair  Bessy  promised  to  bestow 
My  first  upon  her  lover. 
And  mncli  I  hope  that  no  dark  clouds 
Around  the  pair  may  hover. 

Sweet  Bessy's  age  is  just  eighteen, 
Of  gold  she  has  my  second  ; 

On  bearing  oiF  the  lovely  prize 
How  mauy  beaus  bad  reckon'd  I 

And  now  my  riddle  I'll  conclude, 
And  hope  you'll  not  me  quiz, 

For  what  I  say  is  very  true — 
My  whole  fair  Bessy  is. 


14 


KOBEET    MEEEY    8 


45.  What  is  that  which  every  one  likes  to  have,  and  to 
get  rid  of  as  soon  as  possible  after  he  gets  it  ? 

46.  My  first  is  found  on  a  ship  ;  my  second  is  a  vowel ; 
my  third  is  a  title ;  my  wiiole  is  the  name  of  an  animal. 

47.  Entire,  I'm  a  man's  name ;  behead  me,  and  I'm  a 
Turkish  coin  ;  behead  me  again,  and  I'm  too  close  ;  -again, 
and  I'm  a  prefix. 

48. 


!nt 


?r— ^ 


49.  My  second  is  a  useful  appendage  to  my  first,  and 
my  whole  is  to  abridge. 

50.  I  am  composed  of  21  letters. 

My  4,  9,  12  is  a  Greek  preposition. 

My  7,  5,  8,  14  a  vessel  used  in  the  Scotch  sea. 

My  17,  13,  21  is  entity. 

My  18,  19,  3,*  10  is  a  bed  formed  by  birds. 

My  1,  11,  15  is  to  dip. 

My  20,  6,  2,  16  is  to  tarnish. 

My  whole  is  want  of  symmetry. 


BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 


15 


61.  A  squirrel,  finding  nine  ears  of  corn  in  a  box,  took 
from  it,  daily,  three  ears ;  how  many  days  was  he  in  re- 
moving the  corn  from  the  box  ? 

52.  My  first  is  found  in  an  oyster ;  my  second  is  possess- 
ed by  the  nobility  ;  every  house  contains  my  third ;  my 
whole  no  one  applies  to  himself. 

53.  "What  word  is  that,  of  three  letters,  which,  read  back- 
ward, indicates  the  quality  of  many  who  participate  in  it  ? 

64.  In  my  first,  relations  most  g'enerally  find 
An  interest  of  a  peculiar  kind  ; 
My  second,  an  adverb  of  humble  degree. 
Combined  with  my  first  names  a  beautiful  tree. 


16  ROBERT    merry's 

TOWNS  IN  NEW  YORK. 

65.  A  color  and  a  mineral. 
56.  An  element  and  a  game. 
67.  Part  of  a  gun  and  a  liquor. 

58.  An  animal. 

59.  A  color  and  part  of  a  house. 

60.  A  hole  and  a  heap. 

SHRUBS,  FLOWERS,  ETC. 

61.  A  vehicle,  and  where  it  takes  you. 

62.  A  traitor,  and  the  place  where  he  died. 

63.  To  hurt,  a  nickname,  and  an  engine  of  war. 

64r.  Take  a  (1)  life  preserver  ;  (2)  decapitate  it  and  show 
a  mode  of  using  it ;  (3)  again  transpose  and  show  how  it 
has  been  used  ;  (4)  transpose  and  sliow  what  is  used  with 
it;  (5)  transpose  and  give  a  Greek  letter;  (6)  transpose 
the  original  word  and  make  a  famous  rock ;  (7)  transpose 
and  make  a  locomotiv^e  power;  (8)  transpose  and  make  it 
dull  ;  (9)  transpose  and  it  will  utter  a  war-cry  to  dogs  ; 
(10)  transpose  it  now  into  a  girl's  name;  (11)  curtail  it 
and  express  a  concurrence ;  (12)  again  curtail,  and  see 
what  you  may  call  yourself. 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLES 


n 


66     'Twas  night — a  stormy,  tempestuous  night, 

All  wakeful  and  anxious  the  crew, 
As  they  watched  my  first  in  its  wild,  mad  flight, 

"While  over  the  waves  it  flew. 
And  now,  in  the  midst  of  these  wild  alarms, 

My  second  is  dashed  on  the  shore. 
Till  Ocean  opens  her  treacherous  arms. 

And  gathers  it  home  once  more. 
Let  us  turn  from  these  dreary  scenes  away, 

So  solemn  and  filled  with  gloom. 
And  in  meadows  or  pleasant  gardens  stray, 

"Where  in  beauty  my  whole  doth  bloom. 


18 


BOBEKT    MERRY    8 


67.  I  am  composed  of  12  letters : 
My  1,  9,  11  is  an  animal. 
My  3,  9,  10,  11  is  a  grain. 
My  4,  5,  7  is  part  of  a  barn. 
My  12,  2,  6,  8  is  a  stone. 
My  whole  is  a  body  politic. 

68.  Beliead  an  article  of  apparel,  and  leave  one  who 
sometimes  wears  it. 


D  #COM 

r  THEIRS 


\_:'  }"'i 


70.  l^ot  theory  glides  not  towards  rule  of  action  twice 
too  a  Koman  com  indefinite  article  original  sinner  revolves 
ideas  use  of  the  needle  pronoun  boy's  nickname  theatrical 
performance. 

71.  If  you  should  lose  your  nose,  what  kind  of  one 
would  you  get  ? 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLES. 


19 


72.  Find  a  word  of  six  letters,  something  that  many 
people  laugh  at ;  subtract  one  letter,  and  leave  what  many 
worship. 

CHARADE. 

73.  A  preposition  my  first ; 

My  second's  a  number ; 
My  third  a  brisk  motion 

That  drives  away  slumber ; 
My  whole  is  a  service 

For  which  dearly  we  pay ; 
At  least,  'tis  charged  so 

In  hotel  bills  they  say. 

DUTCH  PUZZLE. 

74.  Add  2  strokes  to  1 1 1  I  and  make  nothing. 

75.  What  bird  most  resembles  a  peddler? 


so 


KOBEKT     MERRY     8 


76. 


77.  My  1st  is  in  pie,  but  not  in  cake. 
My  2d  is  in  hoe,  but  not  in  rake. 
My  3d  is  in  house,  but  not  in  barn. 
My  4th  is  in  wool,  but  not  in  yarn 
My  5th  is  in  take,  but  not  in  give. 
My  6th  is  in  strainer,  but  not  in  sieve. 
My  7th  is  in  rye,  but  not  in  wheat. 
And  my  whole  is  sometimes  good  to  eat 

78.  "Why  is  a  weathercock  like  ambition  ? 

79.  Why  is  a  Turk  like  a  violin  belonging  to  an  inn  ? 

80.  "Wliy  is  a  used-up  horse  like  a  bad  play  ? 

81.  Why  is  a  sick  Jew  like  a  diamond  ring  ? 

82.  Why  is  a  printer  like  a  postman  ? 


BOOK     OF    PUZZLE8 


21 


83.  Entire  I  am  a  bird ;  cut  off  my  tail,  and  I  shall  be 
a  surname ;  now  transpose,  and  I  shall  be  something  sin- 
gular. 

84.  Why  are  fovvls  the  most  economical  things  farmers 
keep  ? 

85.  Why  is  a  cricket  on  the  hearth  like  a  soldier  in 
battle  ? 

86.  Entire,  I  am  of  bloody  mien, 

And  spread  destruction  all  around; 
Beheaded — cheerfully  I'm  seen 

Where  pleasure's  votaries  are  found. 

87.  Why  should  a  brigadier-general,  with  his  troops,  be 
able  to  cross  any  river  ? 

88.  Join  a  verb  and  conjunction,  and  make  a  noun. 

89.  Join  a  conjunction  and  a  noun,  and  form  an  adverb. 

90.  Join  a  noun  and  adjective,  and  make  a  verb. 


22 


EGBERT    MERRY    8 


91.  I  am  a  word  of  three  syllables  ;  my  first  member  ia 
one  of  the  family  of  fruits  ;  my  second  component  part  is 
an  article  in  very  common  use,  at  once  a  receptacle  for 
the  most  valuable  and  the  most  useless  things ;  ray  last 
member  is  an  interjection.  Entire,  I  am  a  substance  em- 
ployed in  writing  and  drawing. 

92. 


BBE 
ERE 

UST 


SCRIPTURAL  ENIGMA. 

93.  Who  cowardly  a  prince  did  kill  ? 

94.  Who  built  a  city  on  a  hill  ? 

95.  Whose  son  profane  his  life  did  lose  ? 

96.  What  Persian  queen  preserved  the  Jews  ? 

97.  What  Jewish  king  a  leper  died  ? 

98.  Whose  wicked  mother  "Treason"  cried? 

99.  The  initial  letters,  joined  aright, 
A  famous  Jew  will  bring  to  light. 


BOOK    OF     PUZZLES. 


23 


HOW    TO   MAKE    ANAGRAMS. 

"!N'ow  that's  too  bad!"  exclaimed  little  Bess,  striking 
her  pencil  down  quickly  on  the  slate,  which  had  for  five 
minutes  been  shaded  by  her  brown  curls,  as  she  bent  earn- 
estly over  it.     "  I  do  say  it's  too  bad." 

"  What  is  too  bad,  Bess  ?"  asked  her  oldest  sister,  Mary, 
who,  apparently  occuj)ied  with  her  history,  had  been 
stealing  occasional  glances  at  the  animated  face  over  the 
slate,  and  watching  with  pleasing  interest  the  busy  fingers 
putting  down  letters,  and  tripping  back  and  forth  among 
tliem  with  her  pencil-point.  "  ^Yhat  is  too  bad,  Bess  ? 
I  thought  something  was  pleasing  you  very  much." 


24  ROBERT 

"  Oh  !  did  you  ?  Well,  I  was  jnst  ready  to  have  such  a 
good  one — these  anagrams,  you  know.  I  surely  thought  I 
had  extra  axes,  and  just  because  of  an  r,  it's  all  spoiled !" 

"  What  were  you  going  to  make  your  extra  axes  out 
of?"  asked  Mary,  with  a  curious  smile. 

"  Now,  don't  make  fun  of  me,  please.  Artaxerxes  was 
my  word." 

"Well,  I  should  think  that  would  just  make  it,"  said 
Mary,  thoughtfully.     "  Are  you  sure  it  will  not  ?" 

"Don't  you  see  that  rf^  asked  Bess,  holding  up  her 
elate  and  giving  a  bayonet  thrust  to  the  offending  letter. 

"  Yes ;  but  what  has  that  r,  all  alone  by  itself,  to  do 
with  it  ?" 

"  Why,  it's  my  proof.  You  see  I  write  down  my  word, 
and  rub  out  each  letter  of  it  as  I  use  it  in  picking  out  my 
new  words,  so  if  none  are  left,  my  anagram  is  complete." 

"  So  you  found  an  extra  r,  instead  of  an  extra  axe,  in 
your  way  ?  Well,  that  is  rather  trying  ;  but  then  there 
are  plenty  of  more  words,  and  it  isn't  much  work  to  get 
them  out.  You  have  a  capital  way.  Besides,  that 
wouldn't  have  been  so  very  good  a  one.  You  know 
*  Aunt  Sue'  says  the  word  and  the  sentence  should  bear 
some  relation  to  each  other.  Is"ow,  if  Artaxerxes  had 
been  a  famous  wood-cutter  instead  of  a  Persian  king,  it 
might  have  been  too  bad." 

"But  wasn't  he  a  warriorj  too  and  mightn't  they  be 
battle-axes  ?" 

Mary  admitted  the  force  of  this,  with  a  smile,  as  she 
went  on  to  say  : 

"When  we  see  such  anagrams  as  *  astronomers — no 
more  stars,'  and  'parishioners — I  hire  parsons,'  there  is  a 
certain  sense  of  fitness  that  produces  all  the  pleasure  I 
can  find  in  an  anagram." 

"  I  know  they're  better ;  but,  then,  not  half  of  them  do 
mean  anything,     /never  could  make  such  ones." 


BOOK     OF    PUZZLES.  25 

"  I  should  try,  if  I  made  them  out  at  all,  to  have  them 
just  right.  You  must  remember  it  takes  some  patience 
to  get  them,  as  well  as  to  make  them.  You  want  the 
satisfaction  of  feeling  paid  when  you're  through." 

"  Patience  !  I  should  think  it  did  !"  said  Bess,  laugh- 
ing and  repeating,  "  Oh,  Sam,  cut  my  pen !"  in  a  very 
comical  manner.  "  If  that  didn't  take  the  patience  of 
Job  !  And  what  did  it  mean^  after  all  ?  I'm  sure  Web- 
ster don't  know  !  I  think  they  ought  to  be  fair^  at 
least!" 

"  So  do  I,"  said  Mary,  laughing  at  Bessie's  earnestness. 
"  ]S"ow  try  the  word  homestead^  Bess,  and  see  what  you 
can  make  of  that." 

"  Why,  is  it  one  ?" 

"  I'm  not  quite  sure  ;  I  was  running  it  over  in  my  mind 
to-day  ;  but  I  had  no  slate  to  prove  my  canceling  correct." 

"What  did  you  thinh  it  made?" 

"  Do-eat-hams." 

"  Oh,  so  it  will,"  said  Bess,  hastily  putting  down  the 
letters ;  "  and  you  know  they  do  eat  hams  at  homesteads !" 
Then  Bess  began  drawing  the  tip  of  her  forefinger  slowly 

through   each   letter,   repeating   slowly,    "do   e-a-t-h 

There^  now^  that's  worse  than  Artaxerxes !     If  that  e  was 
only  an  a  .^" 

Mary  looked  on  the  slate  a  moment,  and  then  said, 
pleasantly,  "  But  you  see  it  isn't !" 

"  How  easy  you  do  take  things,  Mary !  I^ow,  that 
would  be  so  good,  and  it  comes  so  near  !" 

"  That's  the  lest  way  to  take  things^  isn't  it,  Bess  ?"  said 
Mary,  gently  lifting  Bessie's  face  by  the  little  fat  chin, 
and  looking  into  her  large  blue  eyes  lovingly.  Ana- 
grams, you  see,  may  teach  us  a  lesson." 

^'Almost  anagrams,  you  should  say,"  said  Bess.  "  Well, 
let's  try  something  else.     Shall  we  try  '  Aunt  Sue  V  " 

"  Yes,  put  it  down." 

2 


26  BOBEET    merry's 

"  I  can  get — let  me  see — ^yes,  *  use-a-nut ;'  but  that  don't 
mean  anything  like  '  Aunt  Sue.'  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  that  will  do  as  well  as  your  '  battle-axes.' 
You  know,  she  keeps  *  nuts'  for  the  20,000  to  crack  in  her 
*  drawer?  " 

"  Oh,  that's  it !— let  me  send  it." 

''  Yery  well ;  and  if  1  get  time,  we  will  try  and  have 
two  or  three  more  ready  by  the  next  number,  and  every 
one  with  a  meaning." 

When  Bess  gave  Mary  her  good-night  kiss,  she  said  to 
herself,  "  I  like  to  get  out  puzzles ;  but  I'd  rather  have 
Mary's  patience  than  all  the  anagrams  in  the  world.  I 
wonder  if  I  should  try  very  hard^  if  I  ever  could  be  like 
her !" 

ANAGRAMS. 

100.  Tom  can  pet  lions.  111.  Ira,  run,  go  get  it. 

101.  Main  race.  112.  Cid  is  a  common  toad 

102.  Amy's  purple  net.  113.  Care  on  lip. 

103.  Lo!  a  slop.  11-1.  Sal  I  run. 

104.  O!  hark!  115.  A  lion  ;  capture  it 

105.  I  harm  the  Chat.  116.  Bind  sure. 

106.  Hen,  I  am  he.  117.  Priest  tied  guitar. 

107.  Mid  nice  rains.  118,  Accord  I  try  not. 

108.  I  sent  one  part.  119.  Mend  it  in  a  tree. 

109.  Tore  a  limb.  120.  O  !  if  I  can  sit  so. 

110.  Test  Mars.  121.  Is  it  anger  ?  no. 

122.   Fi  rwods  locdu  fiatsys  het  rhtea, 
Eht  threa  gimth  nidf  sles  earc  ; 
XJtb  oswrd  eilk  rumsem  isbdr  padret, 
Dan  veale  tub  typem  rai. 

A  itleti  dsai — nad  yrtul  isda — 

^NTac  peeder  yoj  tarpim, 
Naht  shots  fo  dowrs  ch'wih  chear  teh  dahe 

Tbu  venre  chout  het  ahetr. 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLES. 


THE    PUZZLE   IS,    TO    GET    FEOM    THE    ENTEANOE,    A,    TO    THE    CENTRE,    B9 
"WITHOUT    OEOSSING    ANY    OF    THE    WHITE   LINES. 


28 


KOBEKT    MEEBT   8 


123. 


124.  Transpose  a  Persian  monarcli  into  a  part  of  the 
human  frame 

125.  Transpose  an  article  of  food  into  a  verb  signifying 
to  abate. 

126.  To  what  port  was  Henry  YIII.  bound  when  he 
Bought  a  divorce  from  his  wife  ? 


127.  He  was 


who  came  to 


Express  a 


truth  tauglit  in  Scripture  by  the  above,  tilling  the  two 
blanks  witli  tlie  same  word  taken  first  forward,  and  in  the 
second  blank  backward. 

128.  Wliy  would  it  be  sure  to  be  better  ? 

129.  My  whole,  T  lightly  swim 

The  smooth  lake's  sparkling  brim, 
Or  down  the  river  skim. 
Transpose  me,  all  around 
The  wide  world's  endless  bound, 
In  every  clime  I'm  found. 


BOOK     OF    PUZZLES. 


130.  My  first,  you  hear  its  sullen  roar 
When  wandering  by  the  ocean's  shore ; 
My  second  in  the  gambler's  art 

Hath  played  no  mean  or  paltry  part, 

But,  fired  with  sordid  thirst  to  win, 

It  often  aids  liim  in  his  sin. 

My  whole  is  something  that  is  found 

Upon  the  face  of  all  around. 

Yet  if  you  take  from  me  my  face, 

I  am  a  title  commonplace. 

131.  If  the  earth  were  annihilated,  why  would  it  be  a 
pleasant  pastime  to  make  it  again  ? 

132.  My  first  describes  a  person,  add  an  adjective  and 
show  that  person's  condition. 


30 

133.  "What  is  it  you  must  keep  after  giving  it  to 
another J 

loi.  How  would  you  express  in  one  word  having  met, 
a  doctor  of  medicine? 

135.  What  is  that  which  makes  every  person  sick  except 
the  one  who  swallows  it  ? 

136.  Why  is  a  person  who  never  lays  a  wager  as  bad 
as  a  regular  gambler  ? 

137.  What  is  the  dijQTerence  between  a  sun-bonnet  and 
a  Sunday  bonnet  ? 

138.  If  I  shoot  at  three  pigeons  on  a  tree,  and  kill  one, 
how  many  will  remain  ? 

139.  My  first  means  more  than  one?  my  second  means 
a  solitary  one ;  my  third  is  highly  popular  now  (with  boys 
more  than  with  their  parents. — A.  S.),  and  my  whole  you 
are  to  guess. 

140.  .    TgEoolSTdT   5a50ue500^^stoo500 

I  '  but  lOOOis  * 


141.  Transpose  an  animal  into  a  bird. 

142.  Transpose  part  of  our  flag  into  spirits. 


BOOK     OF    PUZZLES, 


31 


143.  In  a  word  of  eight  letters,  the  first  three  and  the 
last  three  (transposed)  name  the  same  animal.  The  re- 
maining two  (transposed),  with  the  last  letter,  name  anoth- 
er animal.     What  is  the  word  ? 

144.  I  am  composed  of  12  letters  : 

Mj  11,  T,  2,  6,  1  is  a  place  of  trade. 

Mj  9,  12,  3  is  a  locality  where  a  certain  individual 

passed  the  night. 
My  5,  4,  10,  8  is  a  useful  animal. 
My  whole  is  a  well-known  personage. 

145.  What  town  in  Asia  is  a  fit  residence  for  a  wild 
beast  ? 

146.  When  does  the  weather  show  a  good  disposition  ? 


32  ROBERT    merry's 

14:7.  Behead  a  crime  and  leave  common  sense. 

FLOWERS. 

148.  A  raised  floor  and  a  letter  of  the  alphabet. 

149.  An  article  made  by  farmers,  and  an  article  made 
bj  mechanics. 

150.  An  animal,  and  what  he  possesses,  unless  he  haa 
been  very  unfortunate. 

151. 


152.  My  second  will  be  better  as  my  first,  if  careful  and 
energetic  as  my  whole. 

153.  Why  is  a  drummer  the  greatest  person  of  the  times? 

154.  "When  is  a  sewing-machine  a  very  great  comfort? 

155.  My  first  is  a  preposition ;  my  second  an  animal ; 
my  third,  in  Saxon,  means  a  meadow ;  my  whole  we  all 
should  be. 

156.  Three  men — A,  B,  and  C — traveling  with  their 
wives,  come  to  a  river  which  they  must  cross.  The  only 
boat  they  can  have  will  carry  but  two  persons  at  once. 
How  can  they  all  get  to  the  opposite  side,  no  lady  being 
left  without  her  husband  in  company  with  the  other  gen- 
tlemen ? 

157.  Straight  as  an  arrow,  swift  as  the  lightning,  and 
bright  as  a  sunbeam,  I  take  my  flight  to  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  earth. 


Book     OF    PUZZLES 


33 


158.  My  first  is  a  color ;  my  second  an  agreeable  exer- 
cise ;  my  third  an  article  of  clothing ;  and  my  whole  a  cel- 
ebrated character. 

159.  What  two  female  names  express  a  chemist  ? 

2* 


34 


ROBERT    MERRY    8 


160.  Fm  pretty,  I'm  useful  in  various  ways, 

But  if  often  you  kiss  me,  'twill  shorten  jonv  days ; 
I  part  with  one  letter,  and  then  I  appear 
"What  young  men  are  fond  of  all  days  in  the  year; 
I  part  with  two  letters,  and  then  without  doubt, 
I'm  just  what  you  are  if  you  can't  find  me  out. 

{2^1,11  the  Ma7iks  in  each  with  the  same  word^  differently 
accented^ 

161.  The — to  Fingal's  cave  would — a  stranger. 

162.  Men  sometimes — travelers  fainting  in  a — 

163.  To  select — often — a  writer  to  annoyance. 

164.  As  an  excuse  for  illiberality,  persons  sometimes— 
to  the — 


165. 


COMETS,    CONSTELLATIONS,   AND    FEOID   STARS   ENIGMATICALLY 
EXPRESSED. 

166.  Obstinacy  and  deceit. 

167.  A  nickname,  an  epistle,  and  a  laborer. 

168.  Swifter,  a  forest,  and  an  affix. 

169.  A  precious  stone. 

170.  Past  tense  of  a  regular  verb,  and  a  security. 

171.  A  prophetess  and  a  color. 


BOOK     OF    PUZZLES 


85 


172.  Find  five  letters  capable  of  being  transposed  into 
five  difierent  words:  two  nouns,  two  adjectives,  and  a 
verb. 

173.  Three  circles  have  their  centers  npon  the  same 
right  line.  The  first  has  twice  the  area  of  the  second,  and 
is  externally  tangent  to  it.  The  third,  of  which  the  diam- 
ter  is  one  foot,  circumscribes  the  first  and  second.  Re- 
quired the  radius  of  the  greatest  circle  which  can  be  in- 
scribed within  one  of  the  two  equal  curvilinear  triangles 
thus  formed. 

174:.  When  does  the  weather  resemble  a  lawyer? 


36 

175.  My  first,  in  sound,  is  a  bird's  nickname ;  my  second 
and  third  are  pronouns;  my  fourth  is  three-quarters  of 
what  fashionable  ladies  like  to  do ;  my  whole  is  an  adjec- 
tive that  has  been  sadly  perverted. 

176.  My  first  is  a  verb,  my  second  a  nickname  or  verb, 
and  my  whole  is  to  circulate. 


177. 


^ruce 


n 

U  B  Uc 


178.  "Wliy  is  a  passenger  by  the  12.50  train  very  likely 
to  be  too  late  ? 

179.  IS'ine  less  ten, 

With  fifty  twice  told, 
Is  what  many  feel 
When  they'are  growing  old. 

180.  What  two  letters  give  a  word  meaning  to  debate  ? 

181.  Behead  an  animal,  transpose,  and  leave  another 
animal. 


BOOK     OF     PUZZLES 


37 


182.  What  does  the  boj,  in  his  first  surprise,  say  to  his 
water-wheel  f 

183.  What  is  the  political  character  of  a  water-wheel? 

184.  In  what  coin  is  its  financial  value  estimated  % 

185.  What  is  the  water-wheel  paradox? 

186.  I  am  a  word  of  four  letters :  in  me  may  be  found, 
1  a  verb,  2  an  animal,  3  a  viscid  liquid,  4  a  science,  5  a 
conjunction,  6  a  preposition. 


ds 


KOBEET    merry's 


PL^JS'TS,  FLOWERS,  ETC. 

187.  Part  of  every  animal  and  part  of  every  vegetable. 

188.  A  beast  of  burden  and  a  poison. 

189.  A  sweet  substance  and  a  cluster. 

190.  A  weapon  and  part  of  the  body. 

191.  A  household  article  and  what  often  forms  part  of  it 


193.  Dear  friends,  your  notice  now  I  crave, 
For  I'm  a  king,  a  queen,  a  slave ; 
Each  human  being  claims  my  name, 
And  rightly,  too,  so  where's  the  blame  ? 
Although  I'm  never  more  than  one, 
Just  cross  me  once,  you'll  find  I'm  S07ne  ! 
Whate'er  my  state  of  toil  or  rest, 
I  always  love  myself  the  best. 
I  may  be  greater,  never  less. 
So  now,  young  Merrys,  please  to  guess. 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLES. 


194.  My  first  is  a  kind  of  tippet,  my  second  a  Latin 
preposition,  my  third  is  exact,  my  fourth  is  a  conjunction, 
and  my  whole  is  what  my  first  was  named  after. 

195.  a  My  first  (in  sound),  second,  and  whole  are  birds. 
I  My  first,  second,  and  whole  are  plants. 

196.  Both  my  first  and  second  (in  sound)  are  found  in 
the  scale.     Entire,  I  am  a  term  of  praise. 

197.  Transpose  a  coin  into  some  bonds  of  union. 

198.  Transpose  a  bird  into  an  animal. 

199.  Transpose  another  animal  into  a  bird. 

200.  Transpose  what  we  often  see  on  a  creek  into  what 
we  often  see  (on  warm  summer  days)  in  a  creek. 


iO  EGBERT    MEKEy's 

2<01.  Transpose  part  of  onr  flag  into  spirits. 

202.  Transpose  an  animal  into  a  vegetable. 

203.  Transpose  the  inhabitants  of    a   country  into   a 
covered  vehicle. 

204.  Transpose  a  part  of  day  into  a  stick. 

ses. 


206.  My  second  is  the  same  as  my  first,  and  my  whole 
is  a  shrub. 

207.  My  first  is  a  bird  ;  my  second  an  insect ;  my  whole 
is  "  daddy-long-legs." 

208.  I  am  a  beautiful  tree ;  curtail  and  transpose  me 
into  another  tree  ;  transpose  the  latter  into  a  useful  article  ; 
replace  the  last  letter,  behead  and  transpose,  and  you  have 
a  boundary  line.  Curtail  the  entire  word  twice,  and  yo.i 
have  a  picture ;  take  the  second  and  third  letters  away 
from  the  entire  word,  transpose  the  remainder,  and  you 
have  another  tree. 

209.  Behead  a  hod,  and  leave  a  kind  of  cloth. 

210.  Entire,  I  am  something  funny ;  beheaded,  an  en- 
trance ;  beheaded  again,  I  am  a  fragment. 

211.  ElOlOOOlOOOlOOOUmiOOATXK 


BOOK     OF     PtrZZLES, 


41 


212.  Deep  in  the  wood  of  spreading  oaks, 

Beneath  the  tangled  bonghs, 
"Where  Nature  dwells  untouched  by  man, 

My  first  in  luxury  grows. 
My  next  in  gorgeous  robes  arrayed, 

Is  queen  of  all  her  kind. 
Where  IsTature's  touch  is  most  displayed 

In  beauty  undefined : 
My  whole  a  lovely  garden  treasure, 

Emblem  of  love,  of  joy,  and  pleasure. 

213.  "WTiy  is  the  hottest  country  the  best  ? 


id 


ROBERT    MERRYS 


With  the  letters  of  the  words  in  italics  form  the  original 
words  to  fill  the  hlanks : 

214.  /  tnet  a  gunner his  game. 

215.  Roh,  I  came  not  to  apply  the  - 

216.  lie  was  so that  he  did  me  an  evil  turn, 

217.  1  mob  seven  cats  owing  to  my . 

218.  A has  often  to  mind  his  map. 

219.  My  first  is  a  body  of  water,  my  second  a  relative, 
my  whole  a  time. 

220.  Which  are  the  most  entertaining  of  bats  ? 
221. 


222.  Change  my  head  several  times,  and  make  (1)  a 
color,  (2)  a  regard,  (3)  a  nickname,  (4)  to  harden,  (5)  to 
excite,  (6)  a  mate,  (7)  an  implement,  (8)  a  fish,  (9)  to  form 
in  mass,  (10)  a  part  of  a  coil,  (11)  to  catch. 

223.  I  am  composed  of  8  letters  : 
My  7,  4,  6  is  a  tumor. 

My  5,  3,  1,  8  is  a  fiuid. 

My  2,  6  is  a  pronoun.  [man. 

My  whole  is  sometimes  worn  by  a  lady  or  gentle- 


BOOK    OF    PFZZLEB.  43 

SIGNS  OF  THE  ZODIAC  ILLUSTRATED  SO  AS  TO  BE  EASILY  LEARNED. 


Aries  tbe  Ram,  is  a  man 

ramming  down 

a  gun. 


Cancer  the  Crab,  is  a  boy 

with  a  crab  biting 

bis  toe. 


Libra  the  Scales,  is  an  old 
woman  weighing 


Capricornus  the  Goal,  is  a 

aierry  boy  mounted 

oa  a  goat. 


Taurus  the  Bui!,  is  a  fat 

John  Bull,  reading 

a  paper. 


Leo,  is  a  Pope  who  lived 

in  Italy,  by  that 

name. 


Scorpio  the  Scorpion,  ia  a 

fierce  woman  beating 

her  hu.<!band. 


Aquarius  the  Water-bearer, 

is  a  huatnian  on  a 

tiver. 


Gemini  the  Twins,  are  tbe 

famous  Siamese 

twins. 


Virgo  the  Virgin,  is  a  single 

woman  feeding  a 

parrot. 


Sagittarius  the  Archer,  is 

a  fat  Miss  shooting 

at  a  target. 


Pisces  the  Fish,  is  two  dab 

dealers  blowing  their 

Iiorns. 


^4 


KOBEPwT    MEKKY'S 


224.  The  red-lipped  morn  rose  fresh ;  and  everywhere 
The  sunbeams  welcome  found,  save  one, 
Which  fluttered  through  the  close-barred  windows 
where 
The  gambling  wretches,  who  the  daylight  shun, 
With  red  wine  flushed,  and  eyes  bloodshot  and 
red, 
Wearied  my  first.     Again,  and  yet  again, 
They  the  uncertain  tide  of  fortune  fed 

Witli  gold  ill-gotten,  other  p^old  to  gain. 
Oh,  what    a   ruin   here !    of   God's   most   noble 
work, 
Of  life's  great  end,  and  of  the  deathless  soul ! 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLES, 


45 


My  second  here  Ave  see  !     Ah,  dangers  Inrk 
Where  passions  rule — not  principles  control! 

In  vain  ray  tliird  is  raised  ;  a  warning  voice  ! 

Their  hearts  are  hardened,  and  they  will  not  hear. 


46 

Useless  to  give  my  whole,  or  point  to  joys 
Which  but  provoke  the  ribald  jest  or  sneer ! 

Let  us  be  thankful  that  the  sunlight  glad 

Brings  to  our  hearts  but  gladsomeness  and  praise ! 

Ne'er  be  the  daylight  in  our  haunts  forbade ! 
^N^e'er  let  us  fear  the  noontide's  searching  gaze ! 

225.  My  first  is  to  strive  violently ;  my  second  is  to 
fasten  ;  my  whole  is  a  wizard. 

226.  "Why  is  it  that  miserly  people  have  never  quar- 
reled ? 

227.  Behead  a  beautiful  product  of  nature  and  leave 
what  it  often  falls  into. 

228.  a.  A  European  sea. 

h.  A  seaport  of  Russia. 

c.  A  celebrated  mountain. 

d.  A  town  in  Tipperary,  Ireland. 

The  initials  form  an  ohject  of  interest^  arid  the  finali 
its  receptacle. 

229.  My  first  is  a  fluid,  my  second  a  solid,  my  whole  a 
plant. 

230.  Change  my  head  several  times,  and  make  (1)  an 
amateur ;  (2)  to  hide ;  (3)  to  hang  about ;  (4)  a  leader ; 
(5)  a  pirate. 

231.  Curtail  a  man's  name  and  leave  a  girl's  name  ; 
behead,  and  transpose,  and  leave  another  man's  name. 


232. 


BOOK     OF    PUZZLES. 


47 


233.  When  eyes  and  limbs  are  wrapt  in  sleep, 
Within  one's  comfortable  bed, 
My  first  o'er  both  will  nightly  creep, 
With  thirsty  fangs  and  noiseless  tread. 


My  second  prowls  in  every  clime, 
Where  echoes  not  the  human  tread, 

And  thick  the  mountain  forests  twine 
Their  sunless  branches  overhead. 

And  when  through  groves  of  oak  and  birch;. 
The  backwoods  men  and  maids  pursue 


It 


For  blackberries  their  jovial  search, 

How  often  have  the  startled  crew 
Fled  with  my  whole  from  sounds  tliey  reckoned 

"Were  like  the  hoarse  voice  of  mj  second  ! 


231.  Ivfy  first  is  a  boy's  name,  my  second  is  a  girl's 
aickname,  my  whole  is  a  science. 

235.  Transpose  the  inhabitants  of  a  country  into  aa 
animal. 

236.  O  0.     (Good  advice.) 

237.  My  whole  has  two  of  my  first,  and  is  my  second. 

238.  Express  with  five  letters  a  sentence  containing 
four  words  and  twelve  letters. 

239.  ICE    a  horrid  X     took     2   bt   his   wife  stoo500 
a  time      bearing     lOOOan    de  provocation  ed    but  she 

THEIXSTESIIOLK    for    he    JUcouldEE    her     came 
she       500E1000O50ISHE500       *  H  ^  I  °^  M  «      with     a 
100U500GE50. 

210.  X  A  100. 

211.  ENIGMATICAL  List  of  Anevials. — a.  A  weight,  h, 
A  whip.  c.  An  ore,  d.  A  machine  used  by  housekeep- 
ers,    e.  A  stamp.    /*.  To  intimidate. 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLES, 


id 


242.  The  troop  arranged  for  battle 

Without  my  first  would  fly  ; 
Aud  whether  good  or  bad, 
Without  it  you  would  die. 

Go  seek  the  earth  and  ocean, 

For  smallest  things  you  guess  ; 
Yes,  bring  the  atom  from  the  air, 

And  still  my  second's  less. 

The  traitor,  when  condemn'd  to  die, 

May  calm  his  cares  and  pray ; 
Yet  when  the  axe  sounds  "  dust  to  dust," 

My  whole  he's  borne  away. 

243.  Change  my  head  eight  difi*erent  times,  and  make 
(1)  a  plant,  (2)  a  necessity,  (3)  a  reward,  (4)  to  nourish,  (5) 
an  exploit,  (6)  to  notice,  (7)  a  pipe,  (8)  a  produce. 


60 


KOBEKT    MEERY    8 


A  EIVER  ENIGMATICALLY  EXPRESSED. 

244.  Father  plugs  an  abbreviation. 

245.  I  am  composed  of  letters  five, 
The  part  of  speech  is  adjective, 
From  either  way  I  spell  the  same ; 
Pray  tell  me  then  what  is  my  name. 

246.  Entire,  I  am  capital ;  curtail  me,  I  am  still  capital ; 
behead  and  transpose,  I  am  anything  but  capital. 

247.  A  liquor,  a  word  signifying  father ;  another  word 
for  father,  a  coin,  and  a  liquid  measure.  The  initial  and 
final  letters  are  the  same,  and  spell  a  title. 

248.  Take  a  syllable  of  two  letters  from  a  girl's  name 
and  leave  a  musical  instrument. 

249. 


250.  When  are  politicians  particularly  sweet? 

251.  "Why  is  my  inkstand  like  the  leaning  tower  of 
Pisa  ? 

252.  When  does  a  temperance  lecturer  say  a  grammar 
lesson  ? 

{Fill  the  hlanks  with  the  same  word  reversed.) 

253.  By  a  machine  many can  be  made  from  one • 

264.  Marks  of  an  — —  are  often  found  in . 


BOOK     OF     PUZZLES.  61 

255.  My  first  is  an  abbreviated  name  for  a  young  lady; 
my  second  comes  from  the  large  end  of  a  dog,  runs  up  a 
tree,  and  floats  on  the  sea ;  my  whole  is  required  of  all 
persons  in  time  of  war,  before  they  leave  for  a  foreign 
land. 

256.  "When  is  a  fish  a  rod  ? 

257.  I  am  as  black  as  black  can  be, 
Yet  by  a  curious  fantasy, 

See  my  tracings,  when  time  has  fled, 
You'll  find  them  black,  though  often  red. 

258.  What  is  that  which  strikes  itself  frequently,  and 
yet  does  itself  no  injury  ? 

259.  "Why  are  difierent  trees  like  diflferent  dogs  ? 

260.  What  is  the  difference  between  a  chemist  and  an 
alchemist? 

261.  Why  is  a  tree  like  a  French  dancing-master  ? 

262.  Why  is  a  mouse  like  grass  ? 

263.  Why  are  some  kinds  of  pigeons  like  drinking- 
gl asses  ? 

264.  If  a  bushel  of  potatoes  comes  to  $1,  what  will  a 
horse  come  to  ? 

265.  What  is  that  which  burns  to  keep  a  secret  ? 

266.  Why  is  a  tallow-chandler  one  of  the  most  sinful 
and  unfortunate  of  men  ? 

267.  Why  does  a  man  in  paving  the  streets  correct  the 
public  morals  ? 

268.  Why  is  an  obstinate  man  like  a  mastiff? 

269.  How  does  the  wood-cutter  invite  the  tree  to  fall  ? 


62  BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 

270.  Up !     Stir  the  rough  logs  to  a  ruddier  glow  I 

And  spread  forth  the  gladsome  cheer ! 
For  the  night  hangs  dark  on  the  plain  below, 
And  the  swift-winged  storm  is  near !" 
(Full  oft  my  first, 
When  loud  storms  burst. 
Shelters  some  wanderer  from  their  worst !) 

"  Let  the  white  sail  flutter  free  and  wide ! 

How  our  smooth  prow  cuts  the  laughing  foam  ^ 
Faster,  yet  faster,  oh,  may  we  glide ! 

For  we're  going  home,  boys  ! — going  home  I", 
(May  the  good  God's  hand 
Keep  that  gallant  band 
From  my  second's  wrath,  and  guide  to  land !) 

"Let  the  song  be  heard,  the  dance,  and  mirth ! 

Glad  be  each  heart,  each  step  be  light ! 
Away  with  care  and  the  woes  of  earth ! 
Gay  be  the  festal  hall  to-night !" 
(So  the  revelers  sang, 
And  the  goblets  rang. 
While  my  third  kept  chime  with  a  glimmering 
clang !) 

"To  the  strife!    to  the  strife! — 'tis  the  trumpet, 
calls ! 
The  foeman  comes !     To  arms,  ye  brave  ! 
On,  soldiers,  on  !     He  wins,  who  falls, 
A  lasting  fame  and  a  patriot's  grave !" 
(May  God's  own  might. 
In  the  hour  of  fight, 
Help  those  who   strive  for  my  whole   and   the 
right!) 

271.  Why  do  trees  often  change  their  places? 

272.  Can  a  leopard  change  his  spots  ? 


64  ROBERT    merry's 

273.  Wliite  as  driven  enow  are  we^ 
Black  as  ink  or  ebony ; 

Red  and  yellow,  gray  and  blue, 
Golden,  pink,  and  purple,  too. 
Glittering  like  a  spangled  dress, 
Every  color  we  possess ; 
Few  and  many,  large  and  small. 
Sometimes  not  beheld  at  all. 
Thick  and  thin,  and  high  and  low, 
Moving  fast  and  moving  slow ; 
Fell  destruction  send  we  forth, 
East  and  west,  and  south  and  north. 
Fire  and  flame  we  fling  around 
"With  a  fearful  mighty  sound ; 
Yegetation  soon  would  fade 
Did  we  but  withdraw  our  aid ; 
Dearth  and  famine  would  prevail ; 
Death  would  reign  o'er  hill  and  dale  ; 
!N'ever  two  alike  you'll  see — 
Puzzled  reader,  what  are  we? 

274.  Add  a  letter  to  an  animal,  and  make  a  buildip'* 

275.  Transpose  a  tree  into  a  boy's  nickname. 

276.  Transpose  an  animal  into  a  famous  battle. 

277.  Transpose  a  tree  into  a  verb. 

278.  Transpose  an  insect  into  part  of  a  book. 

279.  Transpose  a  game  of  cards  into  a  dress. 

280.  I  am  composed  of  11  letters: 

My  1,  4,  5,  2,  8,  9  is  a  Scripture  name  with  which 

we  are  all  familiar. 
My  3,  7,  5,  6  is  an  article  of  food. 
My  8,  10,  11  is  a  nickname. 
My  whole  is  a  Scripture  name. 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLES 


55 


281.  Why  is  a  man  in  snow  shoes  like  a  man  bare* 
footed  ? 

282.  How  is  it  that  a  man  with  long  legs  can  not  travel 
faster  than  one  with  short  legs  ? 

I'm  worn  by  many  a  lady  fair, 
In  ironing  I  need  mnch  care  ; 
Behead,  and  I'm  a  purling  stream, 
Where  many  a  poet  loves  to  dream  I 
Behead  again,  oh !  mortal  frail, 
And  I  will  cause  thy  cheek  to  pale. 


56 


CHAEADE. 

284.  If  jou  a  journey  ever  take, 

!N"o  matter  when  or  where, 
My  first  you'll  always  have  to  pay, 

Before  you  can  get  there. 
My  second  you  will  seldom  see, 

If  London  through  you  go  ; 
But  still  'tis  what  I  hope  you  are ; 

Few  better  things  I  know. 
I  say  my  whole  till  next  we  meet, 

When  well-known  names  I  hope  to  greet 

285.  I  am  composed  of  9  letters : 

My  1,  2,  3,  4,  5  has  done  more  damage  than  my 

6,  7,  8,  9. 
My  whole  is,  at  present,  deplorable. 

286. 


To  remove  the  shears  from  the  ring — the  end  of  the 
string  being  firmly  fastened  to  a  nail  in  the  wall,  or  some 
other  object,  which  can  not  be  put  through  the  liandles 
of  the  shears.     (Easily  performed,  when  you  know  how.) 

287.  Entire,  I  am  an  insect ;  behead,  and  I  am  a  rep- 
tile ;  curtail,  and  I  am  a  conjunction ;  curtail  again,  and 
I  am  an  article. 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLES, 


57 


HSonv.f>\Q  cc         — rm: 


288.  In  northern  regions  cold  and  wild, 
Mj  first  you  see,  a  mountain  child, 
In  grandeur  rise  from  its  bed  of  snow, 
And  smile  on  the  iron-bound  coast  below. 
My  second  is  loved  by  the  school-boy  bright, 
With  his  rosy  cheek  and  eye  of  light, 
And  to  gain  it  oft  he  will  truant  play, 
And  leave  master  and  lessons  far  away. 
In  sunny  lands,  where  the  fire-flies  glow, 
And  fragrant  breezes  softly  blow, 
My  whole  you  may  find  so  fresh  and  fair, 
And  who  would  not  wish  in  that  treat  to  share  ? 

2S9.  Express  with  four  letters  a  sentence    containing 
four  words  and  fourteen  letters. 

290.  Transpose  a  dependent  into  a  large  party 

3* 


68 

291.  Fm  found  in  every  mountain, 

In  every  running  vale, 
Though  never  in  the  breezes  found, 
I'm  found  in  every  gale. 

You'll  find  me  in  the  dark, 

But  never  in  the  liglit; 
You'll  always  find  me  in  the  day, 

But  never  in  the  night. 

About  your  form,  dear  little  one, 

You'll  vainly  look  for  me, 
And  yet  in  head,  and  hand,  and  arm 

I'm  always  sure  to  be. 

I'm  not  in  nose,  or  eye,  or  lips. 

Yet  I'm  in  every  feature. 
In  boys  and  girls  I'm  never  found. 

Yet  I'm  in  every  creature. 

I'm  found  in  Mekky's  Magazine — 

In  Uncle  Merry's  face ; 
And  everywhere  Aunt  Sue  appears, 

I  claim  an  honest  place. 

292.  Behead  a  noun  and  leave  a  piece  of  furniture ; 
behead  again  and  transpose,  and  you  will  find  a  character 
spoken  of  in  the  Bible;  curtail  me  and  leave  the  nick- 
name of  a  distinguished  person. 

293.  Transpose  some  animals  into  part  of  an  imple- 
ment. 

294.  Transpose  something  bright  into  bulky. 

295.  Transpose  a  measure  into  a  carriage. 

296.  Transpose  a  prop  into  a  source  of  amusement. 

297.  Transpose  a  sudden  roll  into  a  clown. 


BOOK     OF    PXrzZLES. 


59 


298.  Transpose  what  a  bear  miglit  give  a  cat  into  what 
the  cat  would  consider  it. 

CHARADE. 

299.  My  first  gave  us  early  support; 

My  next  a  virtuous  lass ; 
To  the  fields,  if  at  eve  you  resort, 
My  whole  "you  will  probably  pass. 


300,  Entire,  I  belong  to  the  United  States;  remove  one 
eye,  and  I  belong  to  a  horse ;  curtail  me,  and  I  belong  to  the 
human  race ;  curtail  again,  and  I  am  the  child's  best  &iend ; 
curtail  again,  and  I  am  best  known  to  the  printer,  curtail 
again,  and  I  become  invisible. 


60  KOBEKT     merry's 


ENIGMA. 


30  J..  Thongh  for  years  I  had  lived,  I  was  unknown  to  fame, 
Till  I  rescued  a  slave,  and  I  gave  him  my  name. 
Though  then  Abolitionist — still  I  enthrall, 
And  unless  I  imprison — of  no  nse  at  all. 
'Tis  strange  I  should  be  both  a  boon  and  a  blow, 
But  when  you  discern  me,  this  fact  you  will  know. 
Doctors'  stuff  I  convey  and  small  matters  unfold, 
Yet  rare  gems  I  preserve  and  great  nuggets  of  gold. 
In  form  I  am  round  or  three-cornered  or  square. 
And  at  once  I  am  known  as  both  common  and  rare. 
If  you  wish  to  be  safe  wlien  you  look  at  a  show. 
You  must  pay  for,  and  take  me,  and  sit  in  a  row. 
Clothed  in  crimson,  and  purple,  and  black  I  am 

seen, 
Yet  in  gardens  in  winter  I'm  constantly  green. 
I  am  valued  and  dear,  tliough  'tis  equally  clear, 
I  am  scorned  and  am  hated  when  placed  on  the  ear* 
Both  of  light  goods  and  heavy  I  carry  the  trade, 
Yet  in  gold  I'm  oft  clothed  and  in  jewels  arrayed. 
If  bad  passion  disturb,  or  should  ill-will  excite, 
I  become  the  forerunner  of  many  a  fight. 
Yet  stranger  than  all  these  remarkable  things, 
I'm  a  gift  oft  bestowed  by  princes  and  kings. 

N.B. — As  I  find  it  impossible  to  display  all  my  qualities  and  peculiarities 
in  verse,  I  will  endeavor  to  describe  myself  more  minutely  in  plain  prose. 
I  am  either  animal,  vegetable,  or  mineral,  and  though  sometimes  no  big- 
ger than  a  bright  copper  penny  or  a  silver  sixpence,  yet  I  am  at  times  as 
large  as  a  room — indeed,  I  am  a  room,  and  can  contain  several  people  ;  and 
then,  too,  I  am  made  narrow,  and  can  only  contain  one  horse  !  In  sum- 
mer and  winter  I  flourish  as  a  vegetable,  and  am  often  cut,  but  never 
served  at  table.  I  am  most  valued  at  the  end  of  the  year,  when  I  am 
oflcn  given  and  often  taken.  Though,  unlearned  I  have  given  name  to  a 
science — a  very  striking  quality  you  will  acknowledge,  when  you  know  me. 
If  you  discover  me,  you  deserve  me  as  a  reward.  If  you  are  dull  of  com- 
prehension, you  deserve  me  as  a  punishment  I    May  you  have  your  deserts  [ 


BOOK     OF    PUZZLES 


61 


302.  My  first  you  are  when  over  the  ground 

You  lightly  trip  to  the  rivers  bank, 
Where  my  second  may  always  be  found  ; 

Beware  my  whole,  'tis  cold  and  dank. 
And  fatal,  too,  to  many  a  one 

Who  will  not  its  danger  carefully  shun. 

303.  I  am  composed  of  13  letters  : 
My  9,  10,  7,  1  was  a  good  man. 

My  4,  5,  13,  2,  8  is  an  unhappy  wretch. 
My  11,  12,  3.  6  is  an  adjective. 
My  whole  is  an  extraordinary  tale. 


62  E  0  B  E  E,  T     M  E  E.  R  X  '  S 

CHARADE. 

304.  My  first  in  cities  is  well  know 

And  by  me  many  live, 
Obtain  their  freedom  in  tlie  town, 

And  then  a  vote  can  give ; 
Ty  second  we  can  never  see, 
Whether  on  the  land  or  sea ; 
My  whole  the  sailor  often  braves. 
When  he  plows  the  briny  waves. 

305.  Why   may   muslin   and    flour    be    considered    safe 
articles  in  market  ? 

306.  Of  what    trade    are    we    when    we   walk   in   the 
snow? 

307.  Take  away  the  bees  from  something  we  frequently 
eat,  and  make  it  read  and  speak. 

308.  An  animal  before  a  mountain,  with  the  right  kind 
of  article,  makes  a  tree. 

09.     Transpose  some  animals  into  a  salutation. 


310  Why  strains  my  first  his  wearied  sight, 

Across  the  silent  main, 
And  loiters  on  the  lonely  beacn  ? 
He  looks,  alas !  in  vain. 

For  the  chilly  hand  of  Death  has  passed 
My  second's  stately  side, 


BOOK     OF      PUZZLES. 


63 


And  its  gallant  crew  are  sunk  beneath. 
Tlie  ocean's  briny  tide. 


^J^s^^^:^?.':^ 


Though  time  may  pass  with  silent  step, 

And  years  go  quickly  by, 
Yet  My  whole  shall  feed  the  vital  flame 

And  its  power  shall  never  die. 


311.  Entire,  I  am  a  companion;  beheaded,  a  verb;  re- 
place my  head,  curtail  me,  and  I  am  found  in  nearly 
every  house;  curtail  again,  I  am  a  nickname;  reversed, 
a  verb. 

312.  My  first  is  ''for;"  my  second  and  fourth  are  pro- 
nouns ;  my  third  is  an  article ;  my  whole  is  a  god. 


313.  I  am  composed  of  15  letters: 

My  9,  7,  8  is  what  wicked  children  often  do. 

My  14,  7,  3,  8  afibrds  amusement  to  boys. 

My  7,  13  is  a  preposition. 

My  11,  2,  3,  4  is  often  pleasant  in  summer. 

My  5,  1,  6,  12  is  a  girl's  name. 

My  15,  12,  10  is  often  taken  from  trees. 

My  whole  is  the  name  of  one  of  our  generals. 

ENIGMA. 

314.  I  am  not  found  on  any  ground, 

But  always  in  the  air ; 
Though  charged  each  cloud  with  thunder  loud, 

You  can  not  find  me  there. 
Now,  if  from  France  you  choose  to  dance 

Your  way  just  into  Spam, 
I  there  am  seen,  and  near  the  queen, 

In  hail,  in  mist,  and  rain. 

FRUITS,    FLOWEKS,   AND   PLANTS. 

315.  A  boy's  nickname  and  a  fruit. 

316.  A  bird  and  a  branch. 

317.  Add  what  we  all  love  to  what  we  all  have. 

318.  The  nicknames  of  two  popular  peioons. 

319.  To  deplore. 

320.  Curtail  one  of  the  fair  sex,  and  leave  one  of  the 
unfair  sex. 


BOOK    OF     PUZZLES 


65 


321.  My  first,  in  distant  lands 

Full  many  a  temple  stands, 
Once  builded  by  his  hands; 
The  marble  from  the  mine, 
.  His  hand  hath  cansed  to  shiuo 
In  beauty  half  divine  ; 
My  next  in  tropic  lands 
Grows  where  the  roving  bands 
Eoam  o'er  the  desert  sands  ; 


66  ROBERT     MEREY''S 

My  whole  went  forth — the  world, 
From  chaos  rudely  hurled, 
Along  its  orbit  whirled. 

322.  Take  a  letter   from   a  piece  of  kitchen  furniture, 
and  make  something  furious. 

323.  Divide  a  sensibility,  and  leave  a  reward  and  a  fish. 

324.  Divide  a  measure,  and  leave  something  much  worn 
and  to  desire. 

325.  Divide  something  enormous,  and  leave  a  plant  and 
to  rave. 

326.  Curtail  an  unenviable  state  of  mind  to  be  in,  and 
leave  a  path. 

27.  Why   is   a   hog  just    purchased    like    120   pounds 
0f  steel ? 

NAMES    OF    PLACES. 

28.  The  name  of  a  race  of  men,  a  vowel,  and  a  Greek 
word  signifying  a  city, 

329.  A  state  of  equality  and  a  verb. 

330.  A  letter  on  a  title. 

331.  Behead  part  of  a  vesse.,  and  leave  a  fish;  cuitail, 
and  leave  tranquility. 


BOOK     OF    PUZZLES. 


67 


332. 


333. 


My  first  is  a  domestic  animal. 

My  second  is  a  very  useful  article. 

My  third  in  sound  is  a  Hebrew  measure  of  liquids. 

My  whole  is  a  list  of  names  or  things. 

Resolve   what    made    Jackson   a   President   into 


household  article. 

334.  My  first  is  a  nickname;  my  second,  in  sound, 
asks  a  question;  my  third  is  an  article;  my  fourth  is  an 
adverb,  and  my  whole  is  a  flower. 

335.  My  first  is  a  verb ;  my  second  is  seen  in  a  hat ; 
my  third  is  often  used  for  a  signal ;  my  fourth  is  the  same 
as  my  second,  and  my  whole  is  the  given  name  of  the 
writer. 

336.  I  am  composed  of  10  letters  : 
My  7,  5,  10  is  a  medicine. 
My  6,  9,  1  is  an  adverb. 

My  4,  2,. 8,  3  may  always  be  seen  on  Broadway. 
My  whole  is  a  city. 

337.  Transpose  a  tree  into  a  hollow  vessel. 

338.  D  written  off  for  air,  hinge  learn  a  channel. 

339.  XAIOOT. 


63 


ROBERT    MERRY    S 


Explain  the  sentences  in  italics  in  the  folloiving  jpuzzle  : 
340.  I  knew  a  man,  not  many  years  gone  by, 
Who  had  a  hloch  of  tiviber  in  each  eye, 
Without  impairing,  in  the  least,  his  sight, 
Or  filling  those  who  saw  him  with  affright. 
And  what  was  more  amazing,  free  to  roam. 
Fur-covered  thousands  made  his  head  their  home; 
Two  heavy  huildmgs  also  rested  there, 
By  them  unnoticed,  and  no  less  his  care. 
A  curse  upon  his  meals  he  often  had. 
And  saw  with  joy  it  made  another  glad. 
Strangest  of  all,  for  every  house  he  let, 
A  half  a  score  of  insects  did  beset. 
At  length  he  did  become  a  seasoned  dish^ 
To  grace  a  throne,  which  suited  well  his  wish  ; 
And  all  this  while  an  arrow^  mind^  was  in  him, 
Which  to  the  things  he  loved  did  firmly  pin  him, 

t34:l.      My  first's  a  maiden's  Scripture  name, 
My  second's  less  than  me, 
My  whole — ah  !  so  unmerciful 
I  hope  I  ne'er  shall  be. 

342.  Change  my  head  several  times,  and  make  (1)  the 
cause  for  some  things,  (2)  to  debate,  (3)  a  foundation,  (^4) 
that  which  often  covers  it,  (5  and  6)  two  different  noibes, 
and  (7)  part  of  the  soil  of  America. 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLEl 


343.  My  first  is  half  of  what  you  do 

"When  you  are  wildly  dreaming ; 
My  second  our  two  horses  drew 

One  day  when  Jack  was  teaming. 
My  whole  the  wolves  eat  when  they  can, 

'Tis  said  they  love  me  dearly ; 
And  when  I'm  stripped  to  cover  man, 

I  run  about  quite  barely. 

344.  What  beverage  will  surely  change  our  pain  ^ 

ANAGRAMS. 

Fill  the  Hanks  with  the  wards  in  italics^  transposed* 

345.  Pray^  Simon^  that  I  may  be  cured  oi . 

346.  A  certain used  green  soap. 

347.  Cleon  paints  not  in . 

348.  Dire  loss  is  often  sustained  by . 

349.  can  stand  carlon  pretty  well. 

350.  Prejudice  runs  even  through , 

351.  Transpose  a  taker  into  a  keeper. 


70 


ROBERT      MERRY S 


352.     Curtail  a  coin  and  xoave  a  bird. 

853.  Entire,  I  am  a  mixture ;  transposed,  I  am  false ; 
behead  me,  I  am  a  tree ;  replace  my  head,  curtail  and  re- 
verse me,  I  am  a  nickname;  take  out  my  third  letter  and 
reverse  me,  I  am  part  of  the  body ;  replace  the  third  letter, 
behead  and  transpose,  I  am  a  verb. 

354.  Why  is  a  very  large  man  always  sober  ? 

355.  Transpose  an  aimy  into  what  they  use. 

356.  What  flowers  are  always  under  a  person's  nose  ? 

357.  Entire  I  am  a  dog;  behead  and  transpose,  and  I  am 
used  in  almost  every  house. 

358.  A  planet  and  a  plant. 

359.  Two  girls'  names. 

360.  A  certain  man's  instrument  of  torture. 


BOOK     or     PUZZLES. 


71 


361.  If  you  pull  a  rabbit's  ears,  wbat  will  he  say  ? 

362.  How  does  it  appear  that  rabbit's  ears  are  just  long 
enough. 

368.     Why  is  a  rabbit  like  a  tailor  ? 

364.  Why  is  a  rabbit  not  required  to  take  the  temperance 
pledge  ? 

A    LATIN"    IN^JUNCTIOIS-. 

365.  Me !  men  ?     Tom  or  I  ? 


72 

366.  I  am  composed  of  12  letters  : 

Mj  3,  6,  11,  2  is  ^  piiss-animalous  noise. 

My  8,  1,  9,  5  can  make  one  very  comfortable  at 

some  seasons  of  the  year. 
My  4,  10,  12,  7  is  a  pronoun. 
My  whole  is  the  name  of  a  humorous  writer. 

367.  I  am  composed  of  19  letters  : 
My  6,  7,  0  is  an  animal. 

My  8,  19,  2  is  a  boy's  nickname. 

My  13,  14,  5  is  an  eatable. 

My  18,  1,  4,  9  is  government. 

My  15,  17,  11,  12  are  very  painful. 

My  16,  10,  1,  3,  17,  4,  9,  2,  11  is  ferocious. 

My  whole  is  what  we  all  -wish  for. 

368.  I  am  composed  of  14  letters : 
My  1,  5,  7,  14  is  a  companion. 
My  4,  8  is  an  interjection. 

My  10,  11,  13,  12,  2,  11,  3  is  a  scoundrel. 

My  6,  11,  9  is  in  very  common  use  in  the  kitchen. 

My  whole  is  a  village  on  the  Hudson. 

369.  My  first  is  an  article  of  clothing ;  my  first  and 
second  combined  form  a  trade ;  my  third  is  a  conjunction ; 
my  whole  is  the  name  of  a  cape. 


BOOK     OF     PUZZLES. 


viJimssc^ajj^jk^ 


370.  What  species  of  cat  has  more  than  one  tail  ? 

371.  What  species  of  cat  is  most  to  be  avoided  ? 

372.  What  kind  of  cat  is  most  valued  in  Sunday-school  ? 

373.  Which  of  the  cats  does  a  young  man  show  the 
most  affection  for? 

374.  With  a  hairy  animal  and  an  instrument  for  the 
hair,  construct  a  burial-place. 

375.  I  am  composed  of  19  letters:  my  3,  7,  5 — 13,  8, 
18,  12—15,  14,  10,  2—17,  11,  19,  5—1,  7,  17,  16,  7,  2— 
6,  2,  7,  18—4,  15,  11,  9,  18— and  4,  7,  8,  17,  18,  13  are 
birds  ;  my  whole  is  the  name  of  a  bird. 

4 


74 


876.  Entire,  I  am.  useful  to  tlie  student;  deprived  of 
ray  first  letter,  I  am  behind  time ;  transposed,  a  bird  in 
the  West ;  deprived  of  my  first  two  letters,  I  am  vrhat  you 
all  have  done ;  transposed,  what  you  all  do ;  again  trans- 
posed, a  beverage;  my  whole,  deprived  of  the  first  three 
letters,  is  a  Latin  pronoun  in  the  accusative  case.  This 
last  reversed  is  a  Latin  conjunction.  ,  My  Avhole,  deprived 
of  the  first  four  letters,  is  a  Latin  preposition;  my  whole 
transposed  is  a  crime ;  again  transposed,  I  am  very  little ; 
without  my  last  letter,  I  am  used  in  building  houses ;  trans- 
posed, I  am  used  in  cooking ;  again  transposed,  I  am  used  by 
shoemakers. 

As  an  enigma,  I  am  composed  of  five  letters: 
My  1,  5,  3  is  a  body  of  water. 
My  3,  2,  5  is  a  liquor. 
My  5,  3,  1,  4  is  a  point  of  the  compass. 
My  1,  5,  3,  4  is  a  place  to  rest. 
My  3,  4  is  a  preposition. 
My  1,  3,  2,  5  occurs  every  day. 

377.  What  stream  of  water  contains,  (1)  a  chart,  (2)  an 
animal,  (S)  a  toy,  (4)  two  kitchen  utensils,  (5)  three  nick- 
names, (6)  an  article  of  clothing,  (7)  two  articles  of  fur- 
niture, (8)  a  river,  (9)  a  bird,  (10)  a  ditch,  (11)  a  preposi- 
tion, (12)  to  strike,  (13)  quick,  (14)  a  resting-place  for 
troops. 


BOOK     or      PUZZLES, 


75 


878.  How  near  does  a  boy  straddling  a  rail  come  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States  ? 

879.  When  is  an  Indian  like  a  railroad  engine  ? 

880.  When  are  children  in  danger  of  forming  bad  habits  ? 

881.  Why  is  a  boy  crying  to  be  helped  over  a  rail  fence 
like  a  lawyer  ? 

882.  I  am  in  the  men,  but  not  in  the  boys. 

I  am  in  the  playthings,  but  not  in  the  toys, 
I  am  in  the  north,  but  not  in  the  south. 
I  am  in  the  nose,  but  not  in  the  mouth. 
I  am  in  the  minister,  but  not  in  his  hat. 
I  am  in  the  kitten,  but  not  in  the  cat. 
I  am  in  the  barn,  but  not  in  the  floor. 
I  am  in  the  window,  but  not  in  the  door, 
I  am  in  the  county,  but  not  in  the  state. 
I  am  in  the  pencil,  but  not  in  the  slate. 


76  ROBERT    merry's 

383.  How  far  is  the  President  of  the  United  States 
from  the  first  man  that  ever  died  ? 

384.  If  a  tough  beef-steak  could  speak,  what  poet's 
Dame  would  it  pronounce  ? 

385.  Why  is  a  side-saddle  like  a  four-quart  measure  ? 

386.  What  is  that  without  which  a  wagon  can  not  be 
made,  and  can  not  go,  and  yet  is  of  no  use  to  it  ? 

387.  What  does  a  frigate  weigh  when  ready  for  sea  ? 

388.  Why  do  pioneers  march  at  the  head  of  the  regi- 
ment? 

389.  Why  is  "  i"  the  happiest  of  the  vowels  ? 

390.  Supposing  two  ships  of  war,  the  San  Jacinto  and 
Ironsides,  to  be  2,417  yards  apart,  at  an  unknown  distance 
from  a  fort  having  a  base  of  666|  yards.  The  angle  from 
the  San  Jacinto  to  the  nearest  corner  of  the  fort  is  71 1°, 
to  the  center  of  the  fort  62^° ;  the  angle  from  the  Iron- 
sides to  the  nearest  corner  of  the  fort  is  56|°,  to  the  center 
of  the  fort  49|-°.  Required  the  distance  from  each  ship 
to  the  corner  and  center  of  the  fort — also  the  distance 
from  a  point  equidistant  between  the  ships  and  the  center 
of  the  fort. 

391.  With  what  three  letters  can  you  express  a  sen- 
tence comprising  ten  letters  ? 


392.  My  first,  though  originally  an  animal,  now-a-days 
often  goes  by  steam  ;  though  commonly  used  for  eating, 
is  now  much  used  to  punch  holes  with ;  though  hitherto 
considered  rather  sheepish  than  otherwise,  in  these  times 
goes  to  war.  My  second  lies  before  you;  waits  to  do 
your  bidding ;  is  both  black  and  white  at  the  same  time ; 
can  draw  tears  or  provoke  laughter ;  carry  messages  and 


78 


ROBERT     MERUT    S 


convey  instruction.  Entire,  I  imply  a  disturbed  state  of 
mind,  Avliich.  has  extended  itself  to  tlie  body,-  leading  a 
looker-on  to  indulge  great  expectations  that  something  is 
going  to  happen. 

CHARADE. 

393.  On   this   green   grassy   ball    of  a  structure    called 

earth, 

I  have  dwelt  unregarded  for  innumerable  years, 
And  none  more  attached  to  the  land  of  their  birth, 

More  deep  in  its  pleasures,  its  grief  and  its  fears  ; 
I  sport  'mid  the  waves  of  the  ocean  and  sea, 

Or  rest  on  the  bank  of  some  flowery  glade. 
Or  join  the  fairies  who  dance  on  the  lea, 

Or  play  in  the  checkers  of  sunshine  and  shade, 
But  still  I'm  intent  in  my  welfare  I  trust, 

And  not  to  vain  empty  frivolity  given. 
When  I  come  to  the  end  of  all  time,  as  I  must, 

Tm  safe  in  the  hope  of  dwelling  in  heaven. 

394.  Add  a  letter  to  a  pronoun,  and  make  a  preposition; 
another,  and  make  a  noun ;  add  another  at  either  end,  and 
make  a  verb  ;  another,  and  make  another  noun. 

395.  Add  a  letter  to  a  man,  and  make  a  pearl. 

396.  Add  a  letter  to  a  Scripture  character,  and  make 
a  flower. 


BOOK     or      PUZZLES 


79 


80 

397.  A  and  B  set  out  from  the  same  place,  in  the  same 
direction ;  A  travels  uniformly  18  miles  per  day,  and, 
after  9  days,  turns  and  goes  as  far  as  B  has  traveled  during 
those  9  days;  he  then  turns  again,  and,  pursuing  his  jour- 
ney, overtakes  B  22J  days  after  the  time  they  first  set 
out.     Required  the  rate  at  which  B  uniformly  traveled. 

398.  To  a  word  of  consent  join  the  first  half  of  fright, 
]^ext  subjoin  what  you  never  beheld  in  the  night ; 
!N'ow,  these  rightly  connected,  we  quickly  obtain 
"What  numbers  have  seen,  but  will  ne'er  see  again. 

399.  My  first  it  is  a  curious  thing, 

Of  ^Nature's  own  produce. 
And  many  who  have  lost  a  limb 
Have  found  it  of  great  use. 

By  my  second's  wondrous  power 

Ships  are  made  with  ease, 
To  stem  against  both  wind  and  tide 

Across  the  boundless  seas. 

My  whole  is  very  often  found 

Together  with  my  first. 
And  comes  in  very  handy 

When  you  would  quench  your  thirst. 

400.  Add  a  letter  to  a  crime,  and  make  meditation. 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLES 


81 


401.  How  is  it  that  a  hen  knows  no  night  ? 

4:02.  Which  class  of  democrats  does  a  hen  show  mosi 
regard  for  ? 

403.  "Why  is  a  large  fresh  egg  like  a  virtuous  deed  ? 

404.  Add  a  letter  to  a  heart,  and  make  a  number. 

405.  What  is  flatter  than  a  flat? 

406.  I802500A. 

407.  Entire,  1  am  a  kind  of  rock  ;  beheaded,  I  am  con* 
Bidered  very  healthy  ;  again  beheaded,  I  am  a  beverage  ; 
then  transposed,  I  am  a  meadow. 

4* 


82 


ENIGMA. 

408.  Tis  found  in   our  troubles,   'tis  mixed  with  our 

pleasures, 

'Tis  laid  up  above  with  our  lieavenly  treasures ; 

"'Tis  whispered  in  heaven,  and  'tis  muttered  in 
hell," 

And  it  findeth  a  place  in  each  sybilline  spell ; 

In  Paradise  nestled,  'mid  Eden's  fair  flowers. 

It  has  sported  with  Eve  in  rose-perfumed  bowers ; 

'Tis    muttered    in    curses,    yet    breathed    in    our- 
prayers ; 

From  the  path  of  our  duty  it  tempts  us  in  snares. 

Deep,    deep   in   our    hearts    you   will    find   it   en- 
graved; 

Though  in  misery  sunk,  yet  from  sin  it  is  saved. 

'Tis  found  in  the  stream  that  flows  on  to  the  ocean ; 

Though  in  bustle  forever,  'tis  ne'er  in  commotion. 

'Tis  wafted  afar  o'er  the  land  in  each  breath ; 

In  the  grave  'tis  decaying — you'll  find  it  in  death. 

It  is  floating  away  on  the  broad  stream  of  time, 

Yet  it  findeth  a  place  in  eternity's  clime. 

In  the  legends  of  nations  it  holdeth  a  place ; 

There's  no  charm  without  it  to  the  beautiful  face. 

In  thunder  you'll  hear  it,  if  closely  you  listen ; 

In  moonbeam  and  sunbeam  forever  'twill  glisten. 

In   the    dew-drop   it   sparkles;    'tis    found   in   the 
forest ; 

It  whispers  in  peace  when  our  need  is  the  sorest. 

409.  My  first  is  a  drink;  my  second  is  feminine;  my 
third  is  the  cry  of  an  animal;  and  my  whole  is  a  city  in 
Scripture, 

410.  Behead  something  irritating,  and  leave  something 
soothing. 


BOOKOF     PUZZLES. 


83 


411.  My  first  is  not  so  often  doled 

To  beggar  sad  and  urcliin  bold, 
As  when  the  full  amount  in  gold 
Was  paid  for  paper  one  might  hold, 
My  second  is  a  rank  extolled 
As  beings  of  superior  mold, 
With  virtues  rare  and  manifold, 
When  they  by  toadies  are  cajoled — 
A  rank  not  made  through  ballots  polled 
By  freemen  legally  enrolled. 
My  whole,  a  fragrant  plant,  is  sold 
In  parcels  small  to  grannies  old, 
Vv^ho  in  their  early  life  were  told 
''  "Twill  check  a  fever — cure  a  cold." 


84 


EOBEET    MERRY'S 


412.  Take  the  first  syllable  (whicli  is  sometimes  used 
as  an  interjection  to  express  contempt)  from  a  warlike  in- 
strument, then  transpose  the  remainder,  and  leave  some 
ends. 

413.  Entire,  I  am  found  in  Brooklyn;  with  my  first 
two  letters  changed,  I  am  a  very  strong  and  pretty  kind 
of  crockery- ware ;  when  entire,  my  first  is  a  kind  of 
mountain  ;  my  second  is  found  all  over  the  world. 

414.  My  first  is  annoying,  my  second  (under  certain  cir- 
cumstances), alarming ;  my  whole  is  something  frightful. 

415.  My  first  is  a  nickname;  my  second,  a  pronoun; 
my  third,  a  conjunction  ;  and  my  whole,  a  fish. 

416.  Transpose  a  ruler  into  a  river. 

417.  "Why  is  silver  currency  like  Caesar's  army  by  the 
Rubicon  ? 

418.  What  boat  is  found  in  every  ocean? 

419.  10050065K 

420.  Eehead  an  animal,  transpose,  and  leave  a  coin. 


BOOK    OF    PUZZLES. 


ANSWERS  TO   PUZZLES 


1.  W  HA.IR  over  each  eye  (i)  n 
gander  or  a  bound  will  p  over  t  and 
V  ice  beef  hound.  (Where  over- 
reaching and  error  abound,  will  pov- 
erty and  vice  be  found.) 

2.  A  little  patients  over  a  parent 
wr  on  g  spree  vents  great  miss  under 
stand  in-g-s  between  men.  (A  little 
patience  over  apparent  wrongs,  pre- 
vents great  misunderstandings  be- 
tween men.) 

3.  Crisis. 

4.  Mankind. 

5.  The  excellent  effects  of  a  mild 
and  (hand  less  h)  tender  civility  are 
im  questionable. 

6.  Trice,  rice,  ice. 

7.  Pink,  ink,  in,  pin. 

8.  Think  tv/ice  before  you  speak 
once. 

9.  He  had  no  need  of  a  Hierarch 
(higher  ark) . 

10.  "  Written." 

11.  Princeton,  Prince,  tin,  ton, 
cent,  Nip,  tire,  nice,  not,  in,  to. 

12.  ^raby. 
13    Love. 

14.  Valentme'spDay.^ 

15.  Wise  in  one's  own  conceit. 

16.  Award,  ward,  war,  raw. 
17 »  Elapse,  lapse. 


18.  A  chin  well  rounded  is  a 
charming  feature. 

19.  250  rods. 

20.  Bal-morals. 

21.  Malady. 

22.  Regimentals. 

23.  Because    they    are     destitute 

of-fenders. 

24.  "A  celebrated  man." 

25.  Plane,  lean,  plan,  lap. 

2G.  Fin  e  words  r  no  t  all  wais  t  he 
m  ark  s  of  a  k  in  d  heai-t.  (Fine 
words  are  not  always  the  marks  of  a 
kind  heart.) 

27.  They  are  always  in  love. 

28.  Cunningham. 

29.  Hope,  hop,  ho! 

30.  Incendiary. 

31.  Scowl,  grow,  row,  owl. 

32.  Carroll. 

33.  Trifling,  flirting. 

34.  Napkin. 

35.  Horse,  rose. 

36.  T  hay  W  hoe  ark  wick  limb 
maid  2  DO  ill  S  hood  beak  on  T  in 
ULE  watch  ED.  (They  who  are 
quickly  made  to  do  ill,  should  be 
continually  watched.) 


88 


ANSWERS     TO     PUZZLES 


37.  Salve,  slave,  lave,  veal,  vase, 
save,  ale,  Ave. 

38.  Curtail  in  g  x  pence  swill  lad 
in  Co  me.  (Curtailing  expenses  will 
add  income.) 

39.  When  he  said  "Bildad." 

40.  He  thought  he  was  going  to 
Uubler,  but  he  didn't. 

41.  Pasha,  hasp. 

42.  Rupee,  Peru. 

43.  When  it  is  very  rare. 

44.  Hand-some. 

45.  A  good  appetite. 

46.  Maatodon. 

47.  Casper,  asper,  sper,  per. 

48.  When  there  is  a  will  there  is 
a  way. 

49.  Curtail. 

50.  Disproportionableness. 

51 .  Nine — he  took  his  own  ears  and 
me  ear  of  corn  out  each  day. 

52.  YOU. 

53.  War,  raw. 

54.  Willow. 

55.  Black  Rock. 

56.  Waterloo. 

57.  Lockport. 

58.  Buffalo. 

59.  Whitehall. 

60.  Pitcaun. 

61.  Caraway 

62.  Judas  tree. 

63.  Marjoram. 


64.  Meat,  eat,  ate,  tea,  Eta,  Etam, 
team,  tame,  at' em,  meta,  met,  me. 

65.  Hew  hop  lace  S  C  on  F  I  dents 
in  awl  purse  on  swill  short  L  y  C  on 
F  I  D  E  in  no  body.  (He  who 
places  confidence  in  all  persons  will 
shortly  confide  in  nobody.) 

66.  Snow-drop. 

67.  Commonwealth. 

68.  Brogue,  rogue. 

69.  A  people  intent  on  being  over- 
ruled by  a  king,  need  not  complain 
if  monarchs  arrogate  their  ability  to 
over-rule  opinions. 

70.  Practice  flows  from  principle, 
for  as  a  man  thinks,  so  he  will  act. 

71.  The  first  that  turned  up. 

72.  Monkey,  money. 

73.  At-ten-dance. 

74.  NIX. 

75.  A  hawk. 

76.  My  son,  hear  the  instruction 
of  thy  father. 

77.  P-o-u-l-t-r-y. 

78.  Because  it  is  often  vain  (vane) 
to  aspire  (a  spire). 

79.  He  is  an  infidel  (inn  fiddle). 

80.  He  is  not  likely  to  have  a 
good  run. 

81.  He  is  a  Jew  ill  (Jewel) 

82.  He  distributes  letters. 

83.  Dodo. 

84.  They  are  sure  to  bring  him 
full  crops. 

85.  He  faces  the  fire. 
86-  Slaughter,  laughter. 


ANSWEE8     TO     PUZZLES. 


89 


87.  Because  there  is  a  bridge  in 
every  brigade. 

88.  Donor. 

89.  Astray. 

90.  Impeach. 

91.  Plumbago. 

92.  Peace  to   be   sure  requires 
justice. 

93.  Joab — 2  Samuel  xviii.  14. 

94.  Omri — 1  Kings  xvi.  24. 

95.  Shelomith — Levit.  xxiv.  11. 

96.  Hadaosoh — Esther  viii.  7. 

97.  Uzziah— 2  Chron.  xxvi.  21. 

98.  Ahaziah's  mother — 2  Chron. 
xxiii.  VS. 

99.  Joshua. 

100.  Contemplation. 

101.  American. 

103.  Supplementary, 
J  02.  Apollos. 

104.  Korah. 

105.  Hiram  Hatchet, 

106.  Nehemiah. 

107.  Incendiarism. 

108.  Presentation. 

109.  Baltimore. 

110.  Smartest. 

111.  Regurgitation, 

112.  Disaccomniodation. 

113.  Porcelain, 

114.  Insular, 

115.  Recapitulation, 


116.  Burnside. 

117.  Prestidigitateur. 

118.  Contradictory. 

119.  Indeterminate. 

120.  Ossification. 

121.  Resignation. 

122.  If  words  could  satisfy  the 

heart, 
The  heart  might  feel  less 
care; 
But    words,    like    summer 
birds,  depart. 
And  leave  but  empty  air. 
A  little  said,  at!  d  truly  8a,id, 

Can  deeper  joy  impart, 
Than  hosts  of  words  which 
reach  the  head, 
But  never  touch  the  heart 

123.  Watch  o\er  your  heart  to 
keep  out  all  vice. 

124.  Darius,  radius. 

125.  Sausage,  assuage. 

126.  He  was  bound  to  Havanna 
(Have  Anna). 

127.  He  was  rev i/cd  who  came  to 
deliver. 

128.  It  would  be  reformed, 

129.  Canoe,  ocean. 

130.  Surface. 

131.  It  would  be  recreation. 

132.  Miserable. 

133.  Your  word. 

134.  Met-a- physician. 

135.  Flattery. 

136.  He  is  no  better. 

137.  A  day's  difference. 


90 


ANSWERS     TO     PFZZLES. 


138.  Only  the  dead  one;  the 
others  would  fly  away. 

139.  Conundrum. 

140.  A  good  intention,  hut  un- 
dervalued and  misunderstood. 

141.  Wolf,  fowl. 

142.  Stripes,  sprites. 

143.  Cataract. 

144.  "Honest  Old  Abe." 

145.  Aden. 

146.  When  I'ts  mild  (it  smiled.) 

147.  Treason,  reason. 

148.  Daisy. 

149.  Buttercup. 

150.  Hound-tongue. 

151.  Mode  sty  i  s  one  oft  he 
chief  or  name  nt  sof  youth. 
(Modesty  is  one  of  the  chief  orna- 
ments of  youth.) 

152.  Husbandman. 

153.  Because  Time  beats  all 
men,  and  a  drummer  beats  time, 

154.  When  it  is  used  to  sow 
lace  (solace). 

155.  Forbearing. 

156.  (1)  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  cross 

the   river   together,  Mr. 
A  brings  the  boat  back. 

(2)  Mrs.  B.  and  Mrs.  C. 
cross,  Mrs.  A.  returns. 

(3)  Mr.  B.  and  Mr.  C.  cress, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  return. 

(4)  Mr.  A.  and  Mr.  B.  cross, 
Mrs.  C.  returns. 

(5)  Mrs.  C.  and  Mr.  B.  go 
over,  and  Mr.  A.  returns 
for  his  wife. 

157.  Light. 

158.  Red-riding-hood. 


159.  Ann  Eliza  (analyzer). 

160.  Glass. 

161.  Entrance." 

162.  Desert. 

163.  Subjects. 

164.  Object. 

165.  Piece  of  mind  being  secured 
we  maze  mile  at  miss  fortunes. 
(Peace  of  mind  being  secured,  we 
may  smile  at  misfortunes. ) 

166.  Wilful  lie  (Wilforley). 

167.  Willie  H.  Coleman. 

168.  Fleta  Forrester. 

169.  Jasper. 

170.  Had  anchor  (H.  A.  Danker). 

171.  Sibyl  Grey. 

1 72 .  Slate,  tales,  least,  stale,  steal. 

173.  The  required  radius,  0  feet 
1.922257  inches. 

174.  When  it  is  a  raining  (ar- 
raigning) . 

175.  Political. 

176.  Issue. 

177.  Be  not  too  wise  nor  over  nice 
For  if  you  be,  you  little  see, 
How  like  an  idiot  you  be. 

]  78.  It  will  be  ten  to  ono  if  he 
catches  it. 

179.  HI. 

180.  B  and  Y  (bandy.) 

181.  Zebra,  bear. 

182.  What  a  wheel  I 

183.  Revolutionary. 

184.  In  mills. 


ANSWERS    TO    PUZZLES, 


91 


1 85.  While  it  can  not  move  with- 
out a  head  of  water,  it  never  gets 
ahead  of  the  water,  and  yet  is  always 
moving. 

186.  Star,  sat,  rat,  tar,  art,  as,  at 

187.  Blood-root. 

188.  Ox-bane. 

189.  Candy-tuft. 

190.  Arrow-head. 

191.  Bed-straw. 

192.  Patience  and  perseverance 
will  perform  wonders. 

193.  I,  —  crossed  makes  X  etc. 

194.  Boa-constrictor. 

195.  a.  Rock  pigeon.  h.  Ruse 
mallow. 

196.  Selah! 

197.  Stiver,  rivets. 

198.  Kite,  tike. 

199.  Wolf,  fowl. 

200.  Scows,  cows. 

201.  Stripes,  sprites. 

202.  Ape,  pea. 

203.  Danes,  sedan. 

204.  Dawn,  wand. 

205.  All  is  not  gold  that  glitters. 

206.  Pawpaw. 

207.  Crane-fly. 

208.  Maple. 

209.  Trug,  rug. 

210.  Sport. 

211.  Excommunication. 

212.  MoBS-Tosti. 


213.  Because  it  hears  the  pa'tti. 

214.  Enumerating. 

215.  Embrocation. 

216.  Virulent. 

217.  Combativeness. 

218.  Midshipman. 

219.  Season. 

220.  Acrobats 

221.  First  be  sure  you  are  rigl^ 
then  go  ahead. 

222.  Lake,  sake,  Jake,  bake,  wab  % 
make,  rake,  hake,  cake,  fake,  taki; , 

223.  Amethyst. 

224.  Direction  (die-wreck-shun). 

225.  Warlock. 

226.  They  have  always  agreed. 

227.  Flake,  lake. 

228.  Book-Case.  Baltic,  Odessa, 
Olympus,  Killanaule. 

229.  Liquorice. 

230.  Lover,  cover,  hover,  mover, 
rover. 

231.  Oliver,  Olive,  Levi 

232.  Time  and  tide  wait  for  uo 
man. 

233.  Bug-bear. 

234.  Philosophy. 

235.  Turks,  sturk. 

236.  Owe  nothing. 

237.  Arm-chair. 

238.  RUATT.   (Are you  a  tease ?; 

239.  Once  upon  a  time  a  horrid, 
cross,  overbearing  man  undertook 
to  beat  his  wife  upon  a  very  small 


92 


ANSWERS    TO     PUZZLES. 


provocation  indeed  ;  but  slie  under- 
stood and  overcame  his  evil  inten- 
tion, for  before  he  could  injure  her, 
she  demolished  him  in  a  little  time 
with  a  cudgeL 

240.  Tennessee  (10  A  C). 

241.  Ounce,  cat,  pig,  horse,  seal, 
cow. 

242.  Heah-less. 

243.  Weed,  need,  meed,  feed,  deed, 
heed,  reed,  seed. 

244.  Patapsco. 

245.  Level. 

246.  Fund. 

247.  Mum,  Abba,  Dad,  Anna, 
Minim — I^Iadam. 

248.  Eebecca,  rebec. 

249.  C  low  shoe  r  heart  against 
awl  vice,  butt  open  the  door  to  wall 
t  root  h.  (Close  your  heart  against 
all  vice,  but  open  the  door  to  all 
truth.) 

250.  When  they  are  candidates 
(candied  dates) . 

251.  Because  it  is  ink-lined  (in- 
clined) . 

252.  When  he  declines  a  drink. 

253.  Loops,  spool. 

254.  Animal,  lamina. 

255.  Em-bark. 

256.  When  it  is  a  perch. 

257.  (Often  read)  ink. 

258.  A  clock. 

259.  Each  has  his  own  bark. 

260  One  is  an  analyzer  (Ann  Eliza), 
the  other  a  charlatan  (Charlotte 
Ann). 


261 .  It  has  many  boughs  (bows). 

262.  Because  the  cat  'ill  eat  it. 

263.  They  are  tumblers. 

264.  A  bushel  of  com. 

265.  Sealing-wax. 

266.  Because  his  works  are  wick- 
ed, and  aU  his  wicked  works  come 
to  light. 

267.  He  is  a-mending  the  publie 

ways. 

268.  Because  he  is  dog-matical. 

269.  Hfi  axes  it. 

270  Independence.  (Inn,  deep, 
pendants.) 

271.  Because  they  leave  every 
spring. 

272.  Yes,  when  he  is  tired  of  one 
place  he  can  go  to  another. 

273.  Clouds. 

274.  Sable,  stable. 

275.  Elm,  Lem. 

276.  Lama,  Alma. 

277.  Ash,  has. 

278.  Flea,  leaf. 

279.  Brag,  garb. 

280.  Jehoshaphat. 

281.  Because  he  has- no  shoes  on. 

282.  Long  or  short,  he  only  geti 
ahead  one  foot  at  a  time. 

283.  Frill,  rUl,  ill. 

284.  Fare-well. 

285.  Rebellion. 


ANSWEES     TO     PUZZLES 


9S 


To  remove  the  shears. — Take  the 
loop  end  of  the  string;  put  it 
through  the  right  handle,  and 
carry  the  loop  around  to  a,  as 
shown  by  the  dotted  line  here 
given.  Let  the  loop  be  carried 
still  further  toward  b,  until  it  has 
passed  entirely  around  the  whole 
shoars,  and  you  can  then  remove 
them,  as  they  will  slip  out  through 
the  handles. 

287.  Wasp. 

288.  Pine  apple. 

289 .  I O  U  0  (I  owe  you  nothing) . 

290.  Eleve,  levee. 

291.  The  letter  A. 

292.  Stable,  table,  Able,  Abe. 

293.  Hares,  share. 

294.  Glare,  large. 

295.  Yard,  dray. 

296.  Stake,  skate. 

297.  Lurch,  churl. 

298.  One  hug  enough. 

299.  Milk-maid. 

300.  Maine. 
SOI.  Box. 


802.  Quicksand. 

303.  Les  Miserables. 

304.  Trade  Winds. 

305.  One  may  be  barred  and  the 
other  bolted. 

306.  Printers. 

307.  Bread   and    butter  —  read 
and  utter. 

308.  Catalpa. 

309.  Lamas,  salam. 

310.  Friend-ship. 

311.  Mate,  ate,  mat,  ma,  am. 

312.  Prometheus. 

313.  Nathaniel  P.  Banks. 

314.  The  letter  L 

315.  Bilberry. 

316.  Larkspur. 

317.  Heartseaso. 

318.  Sumac. 

319.  Rue. 

320.  Lady,  lad. 

321.  Mandate. 

322.  Range,  rage, 

323.  Feeling. 

324.  Furlong. 

325.  Flagrant. 

326.  Apathy. 

327.  It  is  a  pig-got. 

328.  Indianapolif. 

329.  Paris. 

330.  London. 

331.  Keel,  eel,  11  E  (ease). 


94 


ANSWEES     TO     PUZZLES 


333.  Cat-a-logue. 
833.  Votes,  stoves. 
3i4.  Polyanthus. 
335.  Isabella. 
33*).  "Wasliingtoii. 

337.  Gum,  mug. 

338.  Depend  not  on  fortune,  but 

conduct. 

339.  Tenacity. 

340.  Beam,  hairs  (hares),  temples 
a  cur  sup  on  his  meals,  tenants,  eggs 
Baited  (exalted),  a  narrow  mind. 

341.  Ruthless. 

343  Root,  moot,  foot,  boot,  hoot, 
toot,  soot. 

343.  Mutton. 

344.  A  little  (t)  will  change  pain 
into  paint. 

345.  Parsimony. 

346.  Personage. 

347.  Constantinople. 

348.  Soldiers. 

349.  Contrabands. 

350.  Jurisprudence. 

351.  Drawer,  warder. 

352.  Crown,  crow. 

353.  March,  sham,  ash,  Sam,  has. 

354.  He  is  a  man  of  great  gravity. 

355.  Host,  shot. 

356.  Tulips  (two  lips.) 

357.  Tyke,  key. 

358.  Sun-flower. 

359.  Rosemary, 


360.  Aaron's  rod. 
3C1.  Nothing. 

363.  He  does  not  want  them  made 

shorter. 

363.  He  is  fond  of  cabbage. 

364.  He  never  drinks. 

365.  Memento  mori. 

366.  Orpheus  C.  Kerr. 

367.  Uncle  Robert's  Picture. 

368.  Manhattan ville. 

369.  Hatteras. 

370.  Cat-o-nine-tails. 

371.  Catastrophe. 

372.  Catechism. 

373.  Catechist,  (cat  ho  kissed). 

374.  Cat-a-comb. 

375.  Blackburnian  "Warbler. 

376.  Slate. 

377.  Potomac. 

378.  One    is    a    rail-sitter,    the 
other  a  rail-splitter. 

379.  When  he  travels  on  a  trail 
(T  rail). 

383.  When  they    linger    round 
the  bars. 

381.  He  pleads  at  the  bar. 

382.  The  letter  N. 

383.  A  yard  and  a  quarter.  Abe 
— Abe-L. 

384.  Chaucer. 

385.  It  holds  a  gal  on. 

386.  Noise. 

387.  It  weighs  anchor. 


ANSWERS     TO     PUZZLES. 


95 


388.  To  axe  the  way. 

389.  Because  "  i"  is  in  the  midst 
of  bliss,  "  e"  is  in  hell,  and  all  the 
others  in  purgatory. 

390.  From  San  Jacinto  to  corner 
of  the  fort,  1,843  66-100  yards. 

From  San  Jacinto  to  center  of  the 
fort,  1,971  10-100  yards. 

From  Ironsides  to  corner  of  the 
fort,  2,096  53-100  yards. 

From  Ironsides  to  center  of  the 
fort,  2,304  75-100  yards. 

From  point  equidistant  to  center 
of  the  fort,  1,763  47-100  yards. 

391.  R  U  L.     (Are  you  well?) 

392.  Rampage. 

893.  The  letter  E. 

894.  I,  in,  pin,  spin  or  pine,  spine. 

895.  Earl,  pearl. 

896.  Iri,  iris. 

897.  B  travels  ten  miles  a  day. 

898.  Yesterday. 

899.  Corkscrew. 

400.  Peculation,  speculation. 

401.  Her  son  never  sets. 


402.  The  hard  shell. 

403.  It  is  a  good  egg  sample, 

404.  Core,  score, 

405.  A  flatterer. 

406.  I  ate  nothing  to-day. 

407.  Shale,  hale,  ale. 

408.  The  letter  E. 

409.  Beersheba. 

410.  Teasing,  easing. 

411.  Penny-royal. 

412.  Balista,  tails. 

413.  Ridgewood. 

414.  Bug-bear. 

415.  HaUbut. 

416.  Bashaw,  "Wabash. 

417.  Because  the  die  is  cast  before 

they  pass  it. 

418.  Canoe     (transposed.     f«)nne 

"ocean"). 

419.  CLOWN. 

420.  Deer,  ree, 


[8a  Pa8b  12.] 


ROBERT   MERRY'S 

BOOK  OF  RHYMES 


PREFACE. 


Mbbbt  nephews,  meorry  nieoefl^ 

ITerry  cousins  all, 
Mary  aunts,  Trith  merry  faoea. 
Merry  uncles,  take  your  places 

Round  tlie  merry  hall. 

Here's  a  book  of  merry  jinglei^ 

Made  for  merry  times; 
Merry  here  with  Merry  miugles, 
Merry  groups,  and  Merrys  single, 

"  Merry's  Book  of  Rhymes.*' 

Aunt  Sue  glowing,  Fleta  flashing, 

TJnele  Joe  in  smUes, 
Mattie  warbling,  Buckeye  dashing, 
Older  crowing.  Hatchet  slaahujg, 

Each  in  his  own  style. 


VI  PREFACE. 

Meiry  nephs  and  nieces,  meeting 

Wheresoe'er  yon  may, 
Robert  Merry  sendeth  greeting, 
Hoping  he  may  have  a  seat  in 

All  your  merry  play. 

"When  in  merry  circles  chatting 

Round  the  merry  hearth, 
Merry  wit  with  wit  combatting. 
Merry's  Rhymes  will  come  quite  pat  in 
To  help  on  the  mirth. 


^^ 


THE    NEST    BUILDERS, 

Oh  !  beautiful,  beautiful  things  I 

How  tliey  range  at  will  tbrougb  the  sky! 
Dear  Mary,  if  I  could  have  wings, 

Ob!  wouldn't  I,  wouldn't  I  fly? 


meeey's  illxjsteated 

I  would  float  far  away  on  the  cloud, 
All  vailed  in  the  silver  mist ; 

And  perhaps  I  should  feel  so  proud, 
I  shouldn't  come  back  to  be  kissed. 

But  see,  sis^  the  «weet  little  creature* 
Have  each  a  straw  in  his  beak ; 

A  lesson  of  duty  to  teach  ns, 
As  plainly  as  birds  can  speak. 

"We  think  they  are  only  playing, 
As  they  roam  to  and  fro  in  the  sky; 

But  these  busy  fellows  are  saying, 
"  Tis  not  all  for  pleasure  we  fly. 

*^  "We're  building  a  snug  little  nest 
In  the  crotch  of  the  old  elm-tree 

"We  mean  it  for  one  of  the  best, 
And  busy  enough  are  we, 

«  We  would  not  live  only  for  play ; 

And  when  for  a  song  we  take  leistme^ 
We  would  show,  in  our  caroling  way. 

How  duty  is  wedded  to  pleasure." 


BOOK   OF  RHYMES. 


KODITESS. 

A  ROSE  was  faint,  and  hung  its  head, 

One  sultry  summer's  day*, 
"WTien  a  Zephyr  kindly  fann'd  its  cheek, 

Then  sped  upon  its  way. 

That  Zephyr  now,  where'er  it  roams, 

Delicious  perfume  brings. 
So  kindness  gathers,  as  it  goes, 

A  fragrance  for  its  wings.  Aunt  Sub. 

1* 


10 


meekt's  illustkated 


--^^    J,  -^^'■^^■^/f^.--^A/- 


BOOK   OF  RHYMES.  11 


SlfOW-FLAKES. 

Abe  the  snow-flakes  pearly  flowers 

That  in  the  skies  have  hirth, 
And  gently  fall  in  gleaming  showers 

Upon  this  barren  earth? 

Or,  are  they  fleecy  locks  of  wool, 

From  sheep  that  wander  by 
The  silver  streams,  that,  singing,  roll 

Through  valleys  in  the  sky  ? 

Or,  are  they  downy  feathers,  cast 

By  little  birds  above. 
And  hurried  earthward  by  the  blast, 

Bright  messengers  of  love? 

No,  they  are  pearly  blossoms,  flung 

From  heaven's  airy  bowers, 
To  recompense  us  for  the  loss 

Of  summer's  blooming  flowers. 

Mattie  Beix, 


12  MEERY*8   ILLUSTEATED 


SPRING   FLOWERS. 

With  what  a  lavish  h£«id 

God  heautifies  the  earth, 
When  everywhere,  all  o'er  the  land, 

Sweet  flowers  are  peeping  forth  I 

Down  by  the  babbling  brook, 

Up  in  the  silent  hills, 
The  glen,  the  bower,  the  shady  noci, 

Their  breath  with  fragrance  fills. 

They  creep  along  the  hedge. 
They  climb  the  mgged  height, 

And,  leaning  o'er  the  water's  edge^ 
Blush  in  their  own  sweet  light. 

They  seem  to  breathe  and  talk ; 

They  pour  into  my  ear, 
Where'er  I  look,  where'er  I  walk, 

A  masic  soft  and  clear. 

They  have  no  pride  of  birth, 
No  choice  of  regal  bower ; 

The  humblest,  lowliest  spot  on  earth 
May  claim  the  fairest  flower. 


BOOK   OF  BHYME8. 


IS 


TOP    PHILOSOPHY. 

Childeen  mnst  be  busy, 
Always  sometbing  learning ; 

Toys  and  trinkets,  for  their  secs^ 
Inside-outward  turning. 

While  the  top  is  spinning, 

Boys  are  wondering  all, 
How  it  stands  erect  unaided, 

Why  it  does  not  fall. 

While  the  top  is  humming, 
StiU  the  wonder  grows, 

By  what  art  the  httle  spinner 
Whistles  as  it  goes. 

Children  learn  while  playing; 

Children  play  while  learning; 
Pastimes,  often  more  than  lessona, 

Into  knowledge  taming. 


14: 


MEERT  S   ILLUSTEATED 


■^-e^^T^ 


BOOK    OF   EIITMES.  15 


BY    THE    LAKE. 

Moonlight  gleams  upon  the  lake ; 
Noiselessly  the  waters  break 
On  the  white  and  pebbly  shore, 
Then  return,  to  break  once  more. 

Yonder  moon,  the  sky's  bright  green, 
Glitters  in  its  depths  serene, 
And  the  stars,  above  that  glow, 
Seem  another  heaven  below. 

On  the  white  lake  shore  I  stand, 
"Where  the  waters  meet  the  land, 
Shadows  all  around  me  lie, 
Shutting  out  the  starry  sky — 

Shutting  out  the  world  around, 
In  their  close  and  narrow  bound, 
And  the  past  awhile  doth  seem, 
But  a  haif-forgotten  dream. 

In  the  starry  night,  alone, 
Earthly  cares  and  thoughts  are  gone. 
In  this  silence,  deep  and  still, 
"Who  could  harbor  thought  of  ill? 


16 


MKRET  S   ILLUSTRATED 


Far  from  all  tlie  care  and  strife, 
AH  the  agony  of  life. 
Who  worud  deem  the  sun  could  rise 
On  earth's  thousand  miseries  ? 

One  "by  one  my  thoughts  come  hack 
To  the  old,  familiar  track, 
And  I  turn  me  from  the  shore, 
To  the  busy  world  once  more. 

Adelbebt  Oldeb. 


BOOK  OF  BHTMES.  17 


GENTLE   WORDS. 

Kind  words  revive  the  weary  soal, 

And  cheer  its  saddest  honrs, 
As  dew.  refreshes  drooping  leaves, 

And  brightens  fading  flowers. 

They  fall,  like  sunshine,  round  the  path 

Of  those  who  weary  roam. 
And  are  the  "  open  sesame" 

To  every  heart  and  home. 

"We  know  the  spring  will  soon  appear, 
When  round  us  flies  the  swallow, 

So  kind  words  should  be  harbingers 
Of  gentle  deeds  which  follow. 

TJpon  the  brow  of  want  and  care 

The  joys  of  life  they  fling, 
And  change  the  soul's  dark  night  to-day, 

Its  winter  into  spring. 

Then  let  your  deeds  be  gentle  deeds, 

Tour  words  be  words  of  love ; 
They  are  the  brightest  gems  which  shine 

In  angels'  crowns  above.        Mattie  Bblu 


18 


merey'8  illustrated 


THE    FROST 


The  Frost  looked  forth  one  still,  clear  night, 
And  whispered,  "Now  I  shall  be  out  of  sight; 
80  through  the  valley  and  over  the  height 

In  silence  I'll  take  my  waj. 
I  will  not  go  on  like  that  blustering  train-  - 
The  wind  and  the  snow,  the  hail  and  the  rain, 
Who  make  so  much  bustle  and  noise  in  vain; 

But  I'll  bo  SB  busy  as  they," 


BOOK   OF  RHYMES.  19 

Then  he  flew  to  the  mountam,  and  powdered  its  crest; 
He  lit  on  the  trees,  and  their  boughs  he  dress'd 
In  diamond  beads ;  and  over  the  breast 

Of  the  quivering  lake  he  spread 
A  coat  of  mail,  that  it  need  not  fear 
The  downward  point  of  many  a  spear, 
That  he  hung  on  its  margin,  far  and  near, 

"Where  a  rock  could  rear  its  head. 

He  went  to  the  windows  of  those  who  slept, 
And  over  each  pane,  like  a  fairy,  crept ; 
"Wherever  he  breathed,  wherever  he  stepp'd, 

By  the  light  of  the  morn  were  seen 
Most  beautiful  things;  there  were  flowers  and  trees; 
There  were  bevies  of  birds,  and  swarms  of  bees ; 
There  were  cities  with  temples  and  towers ;  and  these 

All  pictured  in  silver  sheen! 

But  he  did  one  thing  that  was  hardly  fair — 
He  peeped  in  the  cupboard,  and  finding  there 
That  all  had  forgotten  for  him  to  prepare — 

"  Now,  just  to  set  them  a- thinking, 
I'll  bite  this  basket  of  fruit,"  said  he, 
*'  This  costly  pitcher  I'll  burst  in  three ; 
And  the  glass  of  water  they've  left  for  me 

Shall  *tchickl'  to  tell  them  I'm  drinking!" 

Miss  H.  F.  Gotjld. 


20  MEEEy's  ILLUSTEATED 


BOOK  OF  RHYMES.  2l 


SKATING-WOMAN'S   RIGHTS. 

Why  may  not  a  woman  skate  ? 

She  can  walk,  and  ran,  and  ride — 
In  dance,  or  hop,  she's  always  great— 

Prithee  why  not  skate  or  slide  ? 
Skating  is  a  nsefal  art, 

Full  of  dignity  and  grace ; 
Exercises  Hmb  and  heart, 

Gives  the  blood  a  healthful  pace. 

"Why  may  not  a  woman  skate  ? 

Swan-like  grace  and  queenly  sway 
Mark  the  vigorous,  blooming  Kate, 

Sailing  down  yon  glittering  way. 
Look  1  what  conscious  grace  and  power 

In  those  broad,  out-sweeping  strides, 
As  down  the  silver-gleaming  floor, 

"With  still  inisreasing  speed  she  glides 

Why  may  not  a  woman  skate  ? 

Often  on  the  frozen  Scheldt, 
Buxom  Dutch  girls,  early,  late, 

For  the  prize  of  speed  have  dealt. 


22 


MERRY'S   ILLTJSTRATED 


BOOK   OF   EHTMES. 

Sometimes  from  tlie  inland  town 

To  the  city  mart,  or  fair, 
They  in  merry  hands  glide  down, 

And  their  precious  hurdens  hear. 

"VThy  may  not  a  woman  skate  ? 

To  a  friend's,  long  miles  away, 
Oft  they  sail,  with  heart  elate. 

To  make  a  call,  or  pass  the  day. 
Often  so  do  lovers  meet, 

Whispering,  wooing,  hilling,  cooing, 
"While  npon  their  iron  feet, 

Miles  and  miles  of  talk  they're  doing. 

Why  may  not  a  woman  skate  ? 

What  though  ankles  she  reveal  I 
Skater's  ankles,  critics  state. 

Are  not  over-much  genteel. 
What  of  that ! — a  trifling  charge ! 

There's  a  right  for  every  wrongs 
If  the  ankle's  somewhat  large, 

May  he  'tis  well  set  and  strong. 

Why  may  not  a  woman  skate  ? 

Six  times  we  have  put  the  question ; 
Ko  one  rising  in  debate, 

No  one  offering  a  suggestion, 


24  merry's   ILLUSTRA.TED 

Silence  gives  consent.  So,  then. 
Pretty  girls,  and  women,  too, 

No  less  than  rude  boys  and  men, 
May  put  on  the  iron  shoe. 

Try  it,  girls — ay,  trj  the  skate — 

Good  for  service,  i^ldom  tired. 
Able  to  sustain  its  weight, 

iN'ever  weak,  nor  loosely  wired — 
The  well-tried  ankle  you  will  find 

In  your  need-hour  just  the  one; 
Bind  your  skates  on — ^never  mind!— 

You  will  find  it  right  good  fun. 


BOOK   OF   RHYMES 


SCHOOL    SOIIET. 

Spell,  spell,  spell! 
A  dozen  words  or  more ; 
To  your  task  and  learn  it  well — 

School  days  will  soon  be  o'er. 

"Write,  write,  write! 
A  page  all  bright  and  clean ; 
Seize  the  moments  in  their  flight, 

Kg  lost  one  fall  between. 

Learn,  learn,  learn! 
Some  nseM  inmg  eacn  day  • 
From  early  morn  vui  nigiic  returns, 

"Waste  not  your  time  in  play. 


26 


MEERT  S   ILLUSTRATED 


^^^■^^.7    .l*^ 


1  \.^ 


BOOK  OF  RHYMES.  27 


THE  LANGUAGE  OF  FLOWERS. 

It  is  said  that  the  flowers,  as  well  as  the  birds, 
Have  a  language  peculiar,  with  phrases  and  words ; 
And  that  oft,  in  the  hush  of  a  warm  summer  day, 
You  may  hear,  if  you  listen,  whatever  they  say. 

I  have  doubted  till  lately,  and  thought  it  was  all 
The  whim  of  some  dreamer,  whom  poet  they  call ; 
But  since  the  sweet  seventh  of  June,  fifty-one, 
My  doubts  have  all  vanished,  like  mists  in  the  sun. 

As  I  walked  in  the  garden  I  saw  a  sweet  rose, 
Such  as  seldom  on  this  side  of  Paradise  grows. 
With  a  deep,  deepening  blush  overspreading  its  cheek, 
Leaning  down  to  a  lily,  as  if  it  would  speak. 

Behind  a  tall  orange  in  bloom,  as  it  spread 
Its  rich  fragrant  shadow  all  over  the  bed, 
Unperceived  by  the  parties,  I  paused  in  my  walk 
And,  ia  truth,  overheard  an  intelligent  talk. 

First,  a  low,  distant  murmur  arrested  my  ear, 
Like  the  memory  of  tones  which  in  dreaming  we  hear; 
Then,  clear  and  distinct,  though  subtile  as  thought, 
Their  simple,  articulate  language  I  caught. 


28 


MEEET  S   rLLUSTRATED 


"  Thon  fairest  of  gems,"  said  the  rose,  bending  down, 
*'  Too  sweet  for  the  earth  and  too  chaste  for  a  crown, 
I  would  thou  wert  taller,  that  here,  in  my  p'ace, 
The  world  might  appreciate  thj  sweetness  and  grace/' 

"Nay,  nay,  lovely  rose,"  the  fair  lily  replied, 
"  It  is  safer  in  humble  retirement  to  hide ; 
Earth's  praises  I  court  not ;  my  graces  were  given 
To  eidiale,  in  their  careless  redundance,  to  heaven,'* 

A  3  the  rest  of  their  talk  was  of  love,  and  as  I 
Was  acting  the  part  of  an  eaves-dropping  spy, 
I  will  not  report  it ;  but  this  T  have  told, 
As  conveying  a  lesson  for  young  and  for  old. 


BOOK   OF  KHYMES. 


THE    SONG   OF    THE    EXILE 

Blow,  blow,  ye  winds,  from  the  wide  blue  seal 
Oh,  cool  the  heat  of  this  fevered  brow, 

And  still  this  heart  with  such  melody 
As  yonr  fluttering  wing;8  are  wafting  now ! 

Bear  on,  bear  on,  from  that  distant  shore. 
The  loving  tones  ot  a  household  band 

Whose  cherished  forms  1  see  no  more, 
Ye  voices  dim  from  my  fatherland! 

Such  sad,  sweet  thoughts  to  me  ye  bring 
Of  my  own  far  home  with  its  ivied  walls, 

Of  the  vine-wreathed  porch,  where  the  zephyr  sings 
Through  the  rustling  leaves,  and  the  sunbeam  fal^' 

Of  the  threshold  stone,  and  the  open  door, 
Of  the  kindred  forms  that  gathered  there. 

At  the  stilly  eve  fall  hearts  to  pour, 
In  a  gush  of  song  on  the  listening  air — 

Of  the  noisy  flow  of  the  little  brook, 
Whose  mossy  banks  our  footsteps  haunted; 

Of  winds  which  half  their  sweetness  took 
From  fragr&at  bowers  our  hands  had  planted. 

Fleta  Foeresteb. 


30 


MEERY'S   ILLUSTKA.TED 


BOOK   OF   RHYTIES.  31 


THE    HAEYEST. 

TETjsTrsTG  in  the  patient  earth 

For  the  coming  need, 
Went  the  hopeful  sower  forth, 

Bearing  precious  seed. 

Precious  seed  and  full  of  hope, 
Scattered  far  and  wide, 

O'er  the  plain — along  the  slope — 
And  by  the  river  side. 

Softened  by  the  vernal  rain, 

Quickened  by  the  sun, 
Every  little  planted  grain 

Peep'd  forth,  one  by  one. 

Nourished  by  the  rain  and  dew, 

And  the  genial  light, 
Blade  by  blade  it  upward  grew, 

Growing  day  and  night. 

Wavii^g  in  the  summer  gales, 

Bowing  to  the  blast. 
O'er  the  teeming  intervales, 

Ripening  to  the  last. 


82 


Duly  to  the  harvest  white, 

Goldenly  it  glows, 
As  with  grateful  heart,  and  lights 

Forth  the  reaper  goes. 

Brightly  as  the  sickle  swings, 

Flashing  in  the  sun. 
Merrily  the  reaper  sings, 

"While  the  moments  run. 

Onward  as  the  strong  man  goes, 

Fall  the  golden  heads, 
Till  the  grain,  in  beauteous  row% 

All  the  field  o'erspreads. 

Gather,  gather  now  with  care, 
Binding  up  your  sheaves. 

Save  what  holy  thrift  and  prayer 
For  the  gleaner  leaves. 

Now,  upon  the  groaning  wain, 
Pile  your  treasures  high, 

Thankfol  for  the  gentle  rain, 
And  the  genial  sky. 

Grateful  for  the  bounteous  earth, 

Trusting  all  to  come, 
ITow  with  songs  of  cheerfnl  mirth, 

Bring  the  harvest  home. 


BOOK   OF  RHYMES. 


33 


Dance  and  sing  in  joyous  ring, 

Ere  the  day  grows  dim ; 
Rejoice,  rejoice,  with  heart  and  voice, 

Shont,  shout  the  Harvest  Hymn. 


34 


merry's  illustrated 


BOOK   OF   RHYMES.  35 


THE    SNOW-HOUSE. 

See,  Charlie,  out  there,  by  the  elm  tree, 
The  snow  has  been  eddying  round, 

And  has  made,  for  our  winter  snow-hQUse, 
A  broad  and  beautiful  mound. 

Come,  Charlie,  bring  out  your  shovel, 
And  soon  we  will  let  them  see 

How  nice,  how  snug,  and  how  cosy, 
Our  winter  palace  can  be. 

The  door  shall  be  arched  and  lofty,  * 
The  room  within  shall  be  round ; 

And  we'll  have  a  fireplace  and  chimney, 
And  a  carpet  of  straw  for  the  ground. 

Then  we'll  have  a  magnificent  party, 

And  all  our  friends  receive, 
"With  chestnuts,  popped  corn,  and  candy, 

On  Christmas  or  New  Year's  eve. 

The  Merrys  all  shall  be  invited, 

Around  our  board  to  sit ; 
They  with  our  house  will  be  delighted, 

And  we'll  enjoy  their  wit. 


86 


MEKKT  S   ILLUSTRATED 


COLD    WATEK. 


Cold  water,  pure,  sparkling,  and  bright, 

Cold  water  forever  for  me ; 
Cold  water  yo%  too,  must  drink  to-night, 

Who  have  come  to  our  apple  spree. 


BOOK   OF   RHYMES.  37 

ffop  nothing  else  you  will  get  to  drink, 

Of  that  most  sure  you  may  be ; 
No  wine^  no  'brandy  will  we  allow 
At  our  red-apple  spree. 

No  cider^  no  rwm,  no  lager  Mer^ 

Or  any  such  stuff  will  you  see ; 
But  pure  cold  water,  fresh  from  the  pump, 

"We  will  have  at  our  apple  spree. 

Drink  as  much  as  you  will,  good  friends  and  true^ 

For  nothing  it  costs,  you  see. 
And  in  these  hard  times  it  is  best  to  have 

An  economical  spree. 

So  a  spree  we  will  have,  and  a  jolly  one  too, 

And  none  the  worse  shall  we  be 
To-morrow,  for  having  joined  to-night 

In  a  real  red-apple  spree.  1S,WSL 


38 


MEKET  S   ILLUSTRATED 


ii*:'*^^' 


li 


fi 


O;      .]:| 


BOOK   OF  EHTMES.  89 


THE    GOOD    OLD    PLOW. 

Let  them  laud  the  notes  that  in  music  float 

Through  the  bright  and  glittering  hall, 
While  the  amorous  whirl  of  the  hair's  bright  curl 

Bound  the  shoulders  of  beauty  fall ; 
But  dearest  to  me  is  the  song  of  the  tree, 

And  the  rich  and  the  blossoming  bough — 
Oh !  these  are  the  sweets  which  the  rustic  greets, 

As  he  follows  the  good  old  plow. 

All  honor  be,  then,  to  those  gray  old  men, 

When  at  last  they  are  bowed  with  toil ; 
Their  warfare  then  o'er,  they  battle  no  more, 

For  they've  conquered  the  stubborn  soil; 
And  the  chaplet  he  wears  is  his  silver  hairs, 

And  ne'er  shall  the  victor's  brow 
With  a  laurel  crown  in  his  grave  go  down. 

Like  the  sons  of  the  good  old  plow. 


40 


MERRY  S   ILLIJSTEATED 


WINTEE. 

"Who  does  not  love  the  Winter, 

When  all  on  earth  below, 
The  houses,  streams,  the  trees,  and  rooka, 

Are  covered  o'er  with  snow — 
When  all  is  fair  which  once  was  bare, 

And  all  is  bright  and  gaj, 
When  down  the  hillside  rush  the  sleds, 

jSTot  stop  till  far  awsgr ! 


BOOK   OF  IIHTMES.  41 

And  then  the  noise  of  all  the  bojs, 

When  snow-balls  flj  around — 
The  snow-king  in  the  meadow-field. 

With  icy  jewels  crowned — 
And  sparkling  as  the  purest  gold, 

The  scepter  in  his  hand, 
While  icy  courtiers,  grim  and  still, 

Await  hifl  high  command. 

And  then  when  evening  closes  in 

Around  the  household  hearth. 
We  love  to  sit  while  jokes  pass  round, 

And  all  is  joy  and  mirth. 
And  then  recount  with  ready  tongues 

The  mishaps  of  the  day. 
Of  plunges  in  the  deep  snow-drifts 

When  at  oui- joyous  play. 

And  though  the  Spring  may  boast  its  flowers, 

And  all  its  green-clad  trees ; 
Though  Summer,  with  its  healthy  showers, 

Brings  many  a  cooling  breeze  ; 
And  though  in  Ar.taznn  with  the  crops 

Of  grain  and  fruit  we're  blest, 
Yet  still  I  can  not  heln  but  s/}y, 

I  love  the  "W'iiif.er  'be^;.  T 


42 


MERRY'S   ILLUSTRATED 


BOOK  OF  RHYMES 


JUNE 


43 


Tis  a  truth  that  earnest  students, 

"With  hooks  and  nature  who  commune, 

Are  in  thought  and  feeling  quickened 
By  the  skies  and  breath  of  June. 

"While  in  boyhood,  what  could  match  it? 

Schoolmates  call  so  opportune ; 
"  Come  with  me  and  range  the  forest— 

Kecreate,  this  day  of  June." 

Sister-schoolmates,  gathering  posies, 
Stop  to  hear  the  red-breast's  tune, 

Ajid  laugh  at  pretty  squirrels  running 
Up  the  trees,  in  leafy  June. 

After-life,  for  prizes  striving. 

The  student  toils  for  lengthened  rune- 
Spirit  (so  success)  is  wafted 

To  him  by  the  breath  of  June. 

Month  of  months— let's  sing  its  praises! 

MusEUM-readers,  join  the  tune — 
The  freshest  leaves,  the  brightest  flowers, 

All  are  thine,  Bweet  month  of  June. 


44 


MERRY  8   ILLUSTRATED 


WOllK    AND    PLAY. 

"With  mamma  for  a  teacher, 

'Tis  easy  to  learn ; 
Her  eye  gives  her  boy  com'age, 

As  hard  pages  turn. 

Bhe  says,  "  Now,  my  dear  Fred^ 
Learn  every  word  right ; 

If  you're  patient,  the  hard  spots 
Will  vanish  from  sight. 

*  When  this  task  is  well  finished, 
Your  worJc  wiH  he  done ; 

TTien  the  time  comes  for  playing^ 
Says  every  one. 


BOOK   OF   EHTMES. 


45 


"  Your  fleet  rock-horse  is  waiting, 

And  babj  shall  see." 
Freddy  learned  well  his  lessons, 

And  rides  full  of  glee. 


-♦♦V 


Don't  tell  me  of  to-morrow, 

There  is  much  to  do  to-day. 
That  can  never  be  accomplished. 

If  we  throw  the  hours  away. 
Every  moment  has  its  duty — 

Who  the  future  can  foretell  ? 
Then  why  put  off  till  to-morrow, 

"What  to-day  can  do  as  well  ? 


46 


MEKKY'S   ILLUSTRATED 


THE  BUTTERFLY. 

"Don't  kill  me," — caterpillar  said, 
As  Clar6  raised  her  heel, 

Upon  the  humble  worm  to  tread, 
As  though  it  could  not  feeh 


** Don't  kill  me — I  will  crawl  away, 
And  hide  me  from  your  sight. 

And  when  I  come,  some  other  day, 
You'll  view  me  with  delight." 


BOOK   OF   RHYMES. 


47 


The  caterpillar  went  and  hid 

In  some  dark,  quiet  place, 
Where  none  could  look  on  what  he  did, 

To  change  his  form  and  face. 

And  then,  one  day,  as  Clara  read 

Within  a  shady  nook, 
A  butterfly,  superbly  dressed, 

Alighted  on  her  book. 


->,',^.j^:^^ 


,/vtC 


.  -  ;^"^ 


nis  shining  wings  were  dotted  o'er 
With  gold,  and  blue,  and  green, 

And  Clara  owned  she  naught  before 
So  beautiful  had  seen. 


48 


COLD    WATER. 
You  may  boast  of  your  brandy  and  wine  as  yon  please^ 

Gin,  cider,  and  all  the  rest ; 
Cold  water  transcends  them  in  all  the  degrees, 

It  is  good — ^it  is  betteb — 'tis  BEST. 
It  is  good  to  warm  you  wben  you  are  cold, 

Good  to  cool  you  when  you  are  hot ; 
It  is  good  for  the  young — it  is  good  for  the  old, 

Whatever  their  outward  lot. 
It  is  better  than  brandy  to  quicken  the  blood. 

It  is  better  than  gin  for  the  colic ; 
It  is  better  than  wine  for  the  generous  mood, 

Than  whisky  or  rum  for  a  frolic. 
Tis  th<%  best  of  all  drinks  for  quenching  your  thirst, 

'Twill  revive  you  for  work  or  for  play ; 
In  sickness  or  health,  'tis  the  best  and  the  first — 

Ohl  try  it — you'll  find  it  w  01  pay. 


BOOK  OF  RHYMES. 


49 


THE   TELEGEAPH-ITS    SECRET. 

Looking  up  in  musing  wonder 
At  the  silent  wires  above  him, 
And  profoundly  meditating, 
Suddenly  says  Mike — that's  Michael — 
Suddenly  says  Pat — that's  Patrick — 
"  Can  you  show  me,  can  you  tell  me, 
How  it  is  that  news  and  letters, 
How  it  is  that  big  newspapers, 
Full  of  news,  and  fun,  and  wisdom, 
Travel  ever  back  and  forward, 
Travel  with  the  speed  of  lightning — 
Always  going,  always  coming, 
And  yet  never  interfering ; 
While  we,  sitting  under,  watching, 
Can  not  see  them,  can  not  hear  them, 
Can  not  draw  their  secret  from  them ; 
Can  not  tell  how  'tis  they  do  it. 
Can  not  quite  believe  they  do  it, 
Though  we  all  the  while  do  know  it?'* 
3 


50 


"  Should  you  ask  me,  Mike" — that's  Michael  ■ 
**  Should  you  ask,"  says  Pat — that's  Patrick — 
"  How  these  silent  wires  above  us 
Talk,  and  write,  and  carry  letters — 
Carry  news,  and  carry  orders, 
Though  we  can  not  see  nor  hear  them. 
Sitting  under,  watching,  listening — 
Can  not  see  them,  can  not  hear  them, 
Can  not  catch  the  smallest  whisper 
Of  the  messages  they  carry — 
I  should  answer,  I  should  tell  you, 
That  those  little  wires  are  hollow, 
"With  a  passage  running  through  them 
From  the  one  end  to  the  other ; 
And  they  send,  not  papers  through  them. 
And  they  send,  not  written  letters ; 
But  they  send — ^these  strange  magicians — 
Through  those  passages  so  narrow, 
Whispering  spirits,  living  fairies, 
Flying  ever  back  and  forward, 
Message-bearing,  hither,  thither — 
Faithful  messengers,  that  tell  not 
You,  nor  me,  though  watching,  listening, 
"What  the  messages  they  carry.' 

"  Och!  indade,"  says  Mike — ^that's  Michael— 
"Do  you  know  it,  Pat"— that's  Patrick— 
" Do  you  know  it,  Pat,  for  certain? 


BOOK   OF   EHTMES.  51 

Have  you  seen  the  whispering  spirits  ? 
Have  you  seen  these  living  fairies  ? 
Have  you  heard  them  shooting  by  ust 
Have  you  heard  their  fairy  whisper? 
Tell  me,  do  you  know  it,  surely  ? 
Tell  me,  is  it  only  blarney  ?" 

Then  in  anger,  Pat — ^that's  Patrick — 
Proudly  answered,  "Mike" — that's  Michael— 
"  Sure  you  know  I'm  Pat" — that's  Patrick — 
"  Sure  you  know  I  was  in  College ; 

Four  long  years  in  F ^m  College — 

Hewing  wood  and  bearing  water. 
Kindling  fires,  and  chores  achieving, 
For  the  great  and  learned  scholars 

Of  the  mighty  F m  College. 

So  you  needn't,  Mike" — that's  Michaet-- 

"  Set  me  down  for  a  Know-Kothing ; 

Keedn't  reckon  me  a  Hindoo ; 

Needn't  doubt  that  what  I  tell  you 

Is  as  true  as  if  a  lawyer 

Should  have  told  it  to  a  jury ; 

Or  as  if  a  man  in  Congress 

Or  in  caucus  said  and  swore  it 

On  his  everlasting  honor, 

On  his  faith  and  on  his  conscience ; 

This,  I  trust,  will  satisfy  you," 


62 


MEKEY  S   ILLUSTRATED 


BOOK   OF   RHYMES.  63 


THE  UMBRELLA,  AND  THE  APRIL  SHOWER. 

Keep  close — we'll  crowd  the  closer, 

The  harder  it  shall  pour; 
'Tis  seldom  one  umhTella 

Is  called  to  shelter  four ; 
But  ours  is  large  and  generous, 

And  has  a  heart  for  more. 

Yet  faster,  and  yet  faster, 

The  pelting  sheets  arrive, 
And  our  one  good  umbrella 

Is  bound  to  shelter  five, 
For  we  are  packed  as  snugly 

As  bees  within  a  hive. 

Now  let  it  come  in  torrents — 
We're  snug  as  snug  can  be ; 

What  cares  our  brave  umbrella 
For  five,  or  four,  or  three  ? 

On  every  side  'tis  shedding 
The  rain  in  careless  glee. 

The  clouds  are  very  leaky, 
The  bottom  must  be  out, 


54 


But,  with  onr  good  umbrella, 
"We  have  no  fear  nor  doubt, 

Though  every  stick  above  us 
Rains  like  a  tiny  spout. 

Heigho!  'tl<»  coming  faster, 
The  bottles  'ure  have  burst ; 

But  hark !  the  brave  umbrella 

Says,  "  Clouds,  do  now  your  wont^ 

If  you  would  wet  these  children, 
You  must  destroy  me  first." 

They  must  have  thrown  wide  open 

The  windows  of  the  sky ; 
But,  with  our  good  umbrella, 

I  think  we'll  get  home  dry ; 
Or,  if  we  do  get  sprinkled, 

"We'll  neither  fret  nor  cry. 

Step  lightly,  bonnie  sister. 
Keep  close,  sweet  little  pet, 

With  such  a  brave  umbrella, 
We  shall  not  be  much  wet ; 

But  Prink  will  have  a  drenching^ 
On  that  I'll  make  a  bet. 

How  like  a  river  torrent 
It  pours  along  the  street} 


BOOK   OF  KHTMES, 

Prink  cares  not  for  umbrellas, 
To  him  a  bath's  a  treat, 

And  our  good  India-rubbers 
Are  umbrellas  for  our  feet. 

What's  that  you  saj,  dear  Nellie! 

'Tis  dropping  on  your  arm? 
Indeed,  our  kind  umbrella 

Didn't  mean  you  any  harm ; 
And  soon  the  good  snug  parlor 

Will  make  all  dry  and  warm. 


$5 


Ha !  ha  I  the  wind  is  rising, 
But  we  are  almost  there. 

What  if  our  good  umbrella 
Should  fly  away  in  air  I 

Run,  Prink,  and  say  we're  coming, 
And  open  the  gate — do  you  hear  1 


56 


MEEEY  8   ILLTTSTRATED 


THE    OSTRICH. 

Let  the  fur-clad  Laplander  hoast 
Of  the  reindeer's  bird-like  speed ; 

Let  the  Arab,  for  riding  post, 

Bet  high  on  his  mettlesome  steed ; 


Let  the  Briton  talk  lond  of  the  chase 
With  the  fox,  or  the  hare,  or  the  stag; 

Let  the  Yankee,  stark  mad  in  the  race. 
Count  miles  by  the  minutes,  and  brag ; 


BOOK    OF   RHYMES. 

lh%  bird  of  the  desert  is  ours — 

Competitors  all  we  defy — 
A  bird  of  such  wonderful  powers — 

"We  scarce  know  if  we  ride  or  we  fly. 

You  have  all  of  the  hippogriff  heard, 
For  mettle  and  speed  a  rare  thing, 

Half-breed  betwixt  courser  and  bird, 
Keeping  pace  with  foot  and  with  wing. 

The  bird  of  the  desert  is  he, 
The  ostrich  of  beautiful  plume, 

Skimming  earth,  as  a  swallow  the  sea, 
Or  an  eagle  the  lofty  blue  dome. 

He  laughs  at  the  speed  of  the  hind. 
For  pursuers  he  feels  no  concern. 

He  travels  ahead  of  the  wind. 
And  leaves  the  dull  lightning  astern. 


57 


3* 


58 


merry's  illustrated 


THE    PLOWMAN. 

TuEN  up  the  generous  soil — 
'Tis  rich  in  hidden  wealth, 

And  well  repays  your  earnest  t-oU 
With  plenty,  peace,  and  health,. 

Plow  with  a  bold,  strong  hand^ 
Drive  deep  the  glittering  share : 

Ko  surface-scratching  will  command 
Earth's  treasures  rich  and  rare. 


Then,  if  you'd  heeij  reap. 

With  bounteous  freedom  sow — 

And  while  you  wake,  and  while  you  sleep, 
The  precious  grain  will  grow. 


BOOK  OF  EHTME9.  69 


ON  A  GOOD  HOUSE-DOG  CALLED  "WATCH." 

PooB  faithful  Watch!  thy  watch  of  life  is  o'er, 
And  mute  and  senseless  near  the  kitchen  door 
Thou  lay'st,  a  breathless  corpse,  where  thou  stood  to 

guard  before ; 
Thy  pliant  temper,  known  and  praised  by  all, 
Thy  prompt  obedience  to  thy  master's  call ; 
Whether  to  climb  the  hill,  or  scour  the  plain, 
Or  drive  encroaching  hogs  from  out  the  lane ; 
Thy  quick  return,  on  motion  of  his  hand, 
To  guard  the  door,  or  wait  a  fresh  command; 
Thy  joy  to  meet  at  eve,  with  fawning  play. 
Domestic  faces,  absent  but  a  day ; 
Thy  bark,  that  might  the  boldest  thief  affright, 
And  patient  watch  through  many  a  dreary  night — 
All  speak  thy  worth,  but  none  could  save  thy  breathy 
For  what  is  merit  'gainst  the  shafts  of  Death  ? 
Sleep,  then,  my  dog !  thy  tour  of  duty  o'er, 
Where  thief  and  trav'ler  can  disturb  no  more ; 
Content  t'  have  gained  all  that  thou  now  canst  ha^e— 
Thy  master's  plaudit  and  a  peaceful  grave  I 


60 


MEKKT  S    ILLUSTEATED 


BOOK    OF   KHYMES.  61 


GONE-ALL    GOls^E! 

Bt  the  bubbling  fount  'mid  the  greenwood  shades, 

In  the  leafy  world  of  the  forest  glades, 

Ko  more  the  birds,  at  the  blush  of  mom, 

Trill  their  sweet  notes ;  they  are  gone — all  gone  I 

Yoices  of  summer,  I've  listed  long 
For  the  witching  strains  of  your  matin  song ; 
Through  the  woodland  dim,  o'er  the  rustling  lawn, 
I  have  sought  you  oft ;  but  you're  gone — all  gone? 

No  more  do  you  start  in  your  still  retreat 

At  the  thundering  tramp  of  the  horses'  feet, 

Or  the  wandering  note  of  the  bugle  horn ; 

But  the  woods  are  mute,  for  you're  gone — all  gone ! 

'Mid  the  wild  wood's  haunts,  through  your  lonely  nests^ 
The  rude  winds  play,  and  the  snow-wreath  rests 
In  their  yielding  curve,  while  in  jeering  scorn 
The  cold  blast  whistles,  "Gone — all  gone !" 

They  say  that  ye  sing  'neath  a  sunnier  arch 

Of  the  azure  skies,  where  the  seasons'  march  , 

Brings  but  one  endless  vernal  dawn ; 

But  my  heart  is  sad,  for  you're  gone — all  gone ! 


62 


MERRY  S    ILLUSTRATED 


THE    CHEJSTMAS    TREE. 

The  Christmas  tree  I 

The  Christmas  tree  1 
O  gather  around  it  now  ; 

Its  fruits  are  free 

For  you  and  for  me, 
And  they  hang  from  every  bough. 


BOOK  OF  EHYMEa.  6S> 

Its  flowers  are  bright, 

And  they  grew  in  a  nijjlgl. 
yiar  yesterday  it  was  bare 

Did  ever  you  see 

An  evergreen  tree 
So  fruitful  and  so  fair? 

Look!  here  is  a  rose  I 

And  who  would  suppose 
An  orange  and  a  pear 

"Would  grow  by  the  side 

Of  the  garden's  pride  ? 
But  here,  you  see,  they  are. 

And,  stranger  yet, 

Here's  a  bon-bon,  set 
On  the  same  identical  stem, 

With  two  plums,  so  big 

That  a  neighT)oring  fig 
Beet  ns  lost  in  the  t-hadow  of  t\  £BL 

And  here,  wl.at's  this? 

As  I  live,  'tis  a  kiss, 
And  just  where  a  kiss  should  :)e; 

A  tulip  full  blown. 

Hard  by  it  is  shown — 
Indeed,  'tis  a  wonderful  tree. 


64 


Here,  bravo !  I've  found 

Meeby's  Museum,  bound — 
This  must  be  the  Tree  of  Knowledge; 

Besides  wMcli,  behold  1 

All  lettered  in  gold, 
A  poem  fresh  out  from  the  college. 

Hold  I  hold  I  my  good  sirs, 

Here's  a  nice  set  of  furs — 
'Tis  a  fir-tree,  you  all  must  agree ; 

And  here,  not  incog.. 

Is  a  sweet  sugar-hog — 
Does  that  make  a  mahogany-tree? 

Oh !  who  would  have  guessed  ? 

Here's  a  nice  little  chest. 
Of  course  'tis  a  chestnut-tree ; 

Not  so  fast,  cousin  Knox, 

Here's  a  beautiful  box — 
A  box-tree  it  surely  must  be. 

Your  proof  something  lacks, 

For  here  is  an  ax. 
You  must  own  'tis  an  axle-tree  now ; 

Hallo !  here's  a  whip, 

For  your  horsemanship — 
Tis  a  whipple-tree,  then,  you'll  allow. 


BOOK   OF  RHYMES. 


65 


What  now  shall  be  said  ? 

Here  are  needles  and  thread — 
Let's  see — shall  we  call  it  tre-mend(o)us? 

Oh,  pshaw !  praj  do  stop, 

I'm  ready  to  drop — 
Your  pnns  are  absurdly  stupendous. 


04  merry's  illitstrated 


MY    MOTHER'S    BIRTHPLACE, 

It  was  just  outside  of  the  village, 

In  a  cool,  sequestered  nook, 
On  the  right  was  the  murmuring  foreS-i^ 

On  the  left  was  the  babbling  brook. 
Behind,  the  o'ershadowing  mountain 

Eeared  its  gray  old  head  to  the  sky, 
While  before  it,  the  widening  valley 

Stretched  out  like  a  sea  to  the  ey^ 

'Twas  a  rare,  sweet  spot,  and  a  lov&y 

As  ever  this  fair  world  knew ; 
There  spring  came  earliest  always, 

And  summer  the  latest  withdrew. 
Day  reluctantly  left  it  at  evening, 

And  hastened  to  greet  it  at  dawn, 
And  stars,  birds,  and  flowers  loved  to  visit 

The  place  wheee  my  motheb  was  bobst. 


BOOK  OF  RHYMES.  67 


THE   SONG    OF    BOB   LINCOLN. 

BY  UNCLE  TIM. 

It  was  a  beaatifdl  morning,  quite  early  in  May, 
The  fathers  all  plowing,  the  children  all  play ; 
The  mothers  all  spinning,  as  busy  as  bees, 
And  the  birds  quite  as  busy  all  round  in  the  trees; 
While  some  were  singing  songs  over  and  over, 
Sometimes  in  the  tree-tops,  then  down  in  the  clover, 
Young  Robert  was  trying  his  very  best  notes, 
And  the  strength  of  his  song  by  the  length  of  his  throat. 
Choeus — ^Envy  me,  envy  me, 
Cordially,  cordially. 
Fiddlesticks,  fiddlesticks ! 
Just  act  your  pleasure,  sir. 

Sometimes  he  was  singing  to  Jemmy  the  farmer, 
And  then  to  Miss  Alice,  and  trying  to  charm  her ; 
Kext  moment  he'd  light  on  the  top  of  a  thistle. 
And  either  be  singing  or  trying  to  whistle : 
Miss  Alice,  Miss  Alice !  it  will  give  me  much  pleasure 
To  sing  you  a  sonnet  while  I  am  at  leisure. 
I  will  sing  you  a  good  one,  and  very  explicit, 
And  stop  when  I  choose,  or  whenever  you  wish  it. 
Ohoeus — Certainly,  certainly,  etc. 


While  Jemmy  is  plowing  and  learning  to  whistle, 
My  wife  is  at  home,  in  the  shade  of  a  thistle, 
In  a  neat  little  nest,  with  a  wild  rose  behind  it. 
You  need  not  look  for  it,  for  you  never  can  find  it. 
The  farmer  is  plowing,  and  soon  will  be  mowing ; 
"While  he's  cutting  the  daisies  his  corn  will  be  growing. 
"When  the  heads  on  the  barley  are  ripe,  and  the  cherry, 
Mary  Lincoln  and  I  will  be  singing  so  merry. 

Choeus — Cordially,  cordially, 
Envy  me,  envy  me. 
Fiddlesticks,  fiddlesticks  I 
Just  act  your  pleasure,  sir. 

"When  the  leaves  on  the  trees  and  the  flowers  on  the 

clover 
Are  withered  and  faded,  and  Summer  is  over ; 
"When  the  grass  on  the  meadows  is  leveled  and  gone, 
"We  will  sing  our  last  sonnet  and  leave  you  alone. 
"We  will  fly  far  away  to  the  rice  and  the  cotton ; 
But  let  not  our  thistle  and  rose  be  forgotten. 
"We  are  certain  to  come  again  early  in  Spring, 
And  bring  some  choice  music,  which  we  promise  to 
sing. 

Choeijs — Cordially,  cordially, 
Envy  me,  envy  me. 
Fiddlesticks,  fiddlesticks  I 
Just  act  your  pleasm*e,  sir. 


BOOK  OF  KHTME8. 


A    WILL    AND    A   WAY. 

A  Lapland  merchant  mnst  needs,  one  day, 

To  a  distant  market  go ; 
Bnt  he  had  no  horse,  and  he  had  no  sleigh, 

To  carry  him  over  the  snow. 

"  Yet  go  I  must,"  said  the  sturdy  man — 
"  There  is  a  way  for  every  will — 

Each  new  necessity  has  its  plan, 
For  the  earnest  mind  to  fulfill." 


So  he  drew,  from  the  ice-hound  river,  a  scow, 
And  lined  it  with  furs  and  moss. 

Then  harnessed  a  reindeer  to  its  prow, 
With  a  rope  his  horns  across. 


70 


MERRY  8   ILLUSTRATED 


No  track  was  there — but  the  traveler  knew 

The  way  over  valley  and  plain ; 
Like  a  well-trained  steed,  the  reindeer  flew, 

And  brought  him  safe  back  again. 

The  fashion  he  set  is  in  fashion  now, 

Among  the  fur-clad  Norse ; 
They  use  for  a  sleigh  a  flat-bottomed  scow, 

And  a  reindeer  for  a  horse. 

Said  the  resolute  man,  "  They  shall  serve  my  turn ; 

"Whatever  we  must,  we  may, 
And  sooner  or  later  each  man  will  learn, 

That  where  there^a  a  will  there's  a  way." 


BOOK   OF   RHYMES 


BLOWING  BUBBLES. 


The  boys  -were  blowing  bubbles, 

Bright  red,  and  green,  and  blue, 
And  every  changing  color 

That  ever  mortal  knew. 
Thoy  floated  in  the  "windo-w, 

And  glided  past  my  chair, 
Bi*t  in  a  moment  perished, 

And  faded  in  the  air. 


MERRY  S   ILLUSTRATBD 

The  boys,  with  shouts  and  laughter, 

Blew  till  quite  out  of  breath, 
While  high  in  the  leafy  maple 

The  bubbles  gleamed  till  death. 
Too  much  like  earthly  pleasure 

Seemed  the  bubbles,  bright  and  gay  ; 
They  charm  a  fleeting  moment, 

Then  vanish,  away — away. 


Sweet  love's  ecstatic  potion 

Our  spirits  long  to  sip. 
But  Death  may  dash  the  nectar 

From  the  unsullied  lip. 
And  he  who  quaffs  the  longest, 

Whose  heart  divinely  glows. 
Finds  clouds  will  gather  round  him, 

For  earthly  joys  must  close. 

Some  grasp  at  wealth's  bright  beacon. 

And  follow  where  it  leads — 
Sometimes  to  fairest  honor. 

Sometimes  to  foulest  deeds 
And  often  proves  a  bubble, 

A  floating  thing  of  air — 
Eludes  the  weary  victim, 

And  leaves  him  starving  there. 


BOOK  OF  RHYMES. 

J^love's  so  frail  a  treasure, 

And  wealth  may  fade  away ; 
If  earthly  joys  are  changing, 

And  fame  lives  but  a  day ; 
Then  where  are  shining  jewels 

That  will  not  break  at  last, 
And  leave  us,  eager  viewers, 

All  mourning  for  the  past? 

High  in  the  holy  heavens, 

A  pearl  of  price  untold 
6hines  brighter  far  than  rubies, 

More  precious  than  fine  gold. 
It  can  not  fade  or  perish. 

Can  never  pass  away; 
It  is  a  hope  in  Jesus, 

A  trust  in  God  alway  I     M.  A.  L 


*■-  meeey's  illusteated 


BOOK   OF   KHTMES. 


AFTER    SCHOOL. 

JirsT  look  upon  that  group  of  boys, 
Brim  full  of  frolic,  spunk,  and  noise, 
When,  at  the  word,  "  The  school  is  done," 
They  rush  to  liberty  and  fun. 

Pell-mell,  they  run,  and  jump,  and  leap. 
Tumbling  in  one  promiscuous  heap, 
Until  you  wonder  by  what  token 
They  'scape  with  heads  and  limbs  unbroken. 

Bold,  reckless,  cunning,  cool,  or  sly, 
What  won't  they  do?  what  won't  they  try? 
They're  up  to  every  kind  of  scheme. 
To  test  their  strength,  and  let  off  steam. 

'Tis  an  epitome  of  life. 
Without  its  shades  of  care  and  strife ; 
Each  has  his  private  joke,  and  cracks  it, 
Regardless  how  the  other  takes  it. 

And  there's  the  point — boys  take  rough  jokes 
More  pleasantly  than  older  folks, 
Kot  heeding  much  what's  said  or  done. 
So  they  can  have  their  fill  of  fun. 


THE   NIGHTOGALE. 

Sweet  bird  1  that  throngh  the  shadows 
Of  the  night,  so  sad  and  lone, 

"Warblest  thy  notes  of  gladness, 
With  softly  thrilling  tone. 

'Tis  when  the  gloom  is  deepest, 

And  all  is  hushed  in  fear, 
Save  that  night- winds  are  moaning 

Through  the  stiUness  dark  and  drear; 

'Tis  then  thy  voice  is  sweetest, 
And  seems  wafted  from  above, 

As  to  the  sad  and  sorrowing 
Oome  words  of  hope  and  love/ 

Thou'rt  heard  within  the  casement, 
Through  the  weary  night  of  pain ; 

And  thy  warble  is  an  earnest 
That  the  day  will  come  again. 

Methinks  thou  art  a  spirit-bird. 

Sent  from  a  holier  sphere ; 
Such  spirits  do  not  linger 

Amidst  the  sorrowing  here. 


BOOK   OF   EHTMES. 


LEAP-FEOG. 

That's  right,  Benny,  go  it  strong, 
Go  it  high,  and  go  it  long. 
Swiftly  run,  and  boldly  leap. 
Froggy  Charles  is  quite  a  heap. 

Charley  Frog,  now  take  your  jump; 
Benny,  make  yourself  a  lump ; 
'Tis  a  wnolesome  sport  and  rare — 
Best  and  toil  an  equal  share. 

Now  you're  down,  and  now  you're  np; 
Now  you  leap,  and  now  you  stoop ; 
Now  you  rest,  and  now  you  run ; 
Any  way,  'tis  right  good  fan. 


5^^ 


A   WORLD    OF   LOVE   AT   HOME 

The  earth  hath  treasures  fair  and  brigbt; 

Deep  buried  in  her  caves, 
And  ocean  hideth  many  a  gem 

"With  his  blue,  curling  waves ; 
Yet  not  within  her  bosom  dark, 

Or  'neath  the  dashing  foam, 
Lives  there  a  treasure  equaling 

A  world  of  love  at  home! 

True,  sterling  happiness  and  joy 

Are  not  with  gold  allied, 
Kor  can  it  yield  a  pleasure  like 

A  merry  fireside. 
I  envy  not  the  man  who  dwells 

In  stately  hall  or  dome, 
I^  'mid  his  splendor,  he  hath  not 

A  world  of  love  at  home. 

The  friends  whom  time  hath  proved  sincere, 

'lis  they  alone  can  bring 
A  sure  relief  to  hearts  that  droop 

'Neath  sorrow's  heavy  wing. 
Though  care  and  trouble  may  be  mine, 

As  down  life's  path  I  roam, 
I'll  heed  them  not  while  still  I  have 

A  world  of  love  at  home. 


BOOK  OF  RHYMES. 


I    MUST    HASTEN    HOME. 

I  MUST  hasten  home,  said  a  rosy  child, 
Who  had  gaylj  roamed  for  hours ; 

I  must  hasten  home  to  my  mother  dear — 
She  will  seek  me  amid  the  bowers. 

If  she  chides,  I  will  seal  h«r  lips  with  a  kiss, 
And  offer  her  all  my  flowers. 


I  must  hasten  home,  said  a  beggar  girl, 
As  she  carried  the  pdtiful  store 
5 


Of  crumbs  and  scraps  of  crusted  bread, 
She  had  gathered  from  door  to  door ; 

I  must  hasten  home  to  my  mother  dear — 
She  is  feeble,  and  old,  and  poor  I 

I  must  hasten  home,  said  the  ball-room  belle, 

As  day  began  to  dawn ; 
And  the  glittering  jewels  her  dark  hair  decked. 

Shone  bright  as  the  dews  of  morn ; 
I'll  forsake  the  joys  of  this  changing  world, 

"Which  leave  in  the  heart  but  a  thorn. 

I  must  hasten  home,  said  a  dying  youth, 
Who  had  vainly  sought  for  fame — 

"Who  had  vowed  to  win  a  laurel  wreath. 
And  immortalize  his  name ; 

But,  a  stranger,  he  died  on  a  foreign  shore- 
AU  the  hopes  he  had  cherished  w^re  vain* 

I  am  hastening  home,  said  an  aged  man, 

As  he  gazed  on  the  grassy  sod, 
"Wliere  oft,  ere  age  had  silvered  his  hairs. 

His  feet  had  lightly  trod ; 
Farewell !  farewell  to  this  lovely  earth— 

I  am  hastening  home  to  God  I 


BOOK   OF  KHYME3. 


THE    EVENING    PKAYER, 

With  meek  and  simple  faith, 
A  child's  confiding  love, 

The  infant  cherub  kneels  to  breathe 
His  prayer  to  God  above. 

And  all  the  host  of  heaven  is  there, 

To  listen  to  that  infant  prayer. 


*'  God,  bring  dear  father  home, 
God,  make  dear  mother  well, 

God,  make  me  good,  and  let  us  come 
All  in  Thy  house  to  dwell." 

Then,  while  their  watch  good  angels 

"  God  giveth  His  beloved  sleep." 


ACROSTIC. 

Roses  and  tulips,  with  all  their  gay  train, 
O'er  garden  and  landscape  cause  beauty  to  reign. 
By  the  brook,  or  the  hUlside,  or  light  woody  grove, 
Enchanted — delighted — on,  smiling,  we  rove ; 
'Rapt  np  in  fond  thoughts  of  the  verdure  and  bloom, 
'Till  autumn's  cold  frost  sweeps  the  whole  to  the  tomb. 

My  emotions,  when  life  seems  thus  passing  and  vain, 
Even  wisdom  and  prudence  can  hardly  restrain. 
Rude  winter  now  comes,  and  with  sleet,  hail,  and  snow, 
Right  and  left  sends  his  arrows,  as  shivering  we  go. 
Yet  I  see  there's  a  chance,  even  now^  to  be  cheery, 
Sitting  snug  by  the  fire,  with  old  Robert  Merry. 

My  cosy  old  friend,  no  winter  is  found 

Unfurled  in  thy  pages  the  whole  season  round ! 

Still  birds  sing  their  songs  in  some  warm,  sunny  clime, 

Ever  speaking  in  music  and  talking  in  rhyme ; 

Unless  you  may  tell  us  some  odd  tale  that's  true, 

Making  all  of  ns  merry.  Old  Merry ^  with  you  I 

B. 


BOOK   OF   RHYMES. 


Stjee  I  am,  I  do  not  know 
"Why  we  love  our  Nebbj  so  ; 
But  I  am  sure,  as  sure  can  be, 
Nebby  knows  why  he  loves  me. 
Mattie  feeds  Neb  every  day, 
And  'tis  as  good  as  any  play, 
Just  to  see  his  pranks  and  freaks, 
When  to  ITebby  Mattie  speaks. 
"When  I  go  home  from  the  store, 
Nebby  meets  me  at  the  door, 
And  says,  most  eloquently  dumb, 
"  Nebby  's  glad  that  you  have  come." 
Nebby  is  a  little  pet ; 
Kebby  don't  know  how  to  fret ; 
But  he  knows  the  tenderest  part 
Of  our  Mattie's  tender  heart. 


THE   NEW    SONG. 

"Whence  that  sweet,  inspiring  strain, 

Pealing  on  my  ravished  ear? 
Hark !  its  thrilling  notes  again 

From  the  courts  of  heaven  I  hear — 
"Hallelujah  to  the  Lamb, 

Tfho  hath  bought  us  with  His  blood  I 
Honor,  glory  to  His  name, 

"We  through  Him  are  sons  of  God." 
Angels  fain  their  notes  would  join 

"With  that  vast,  triumphant  song ; 
But  their  harps,  though  all  divine, 

Ne'er  can  reach  that  wondrous  song: 
Learned  on  earth,  and  new  in  heaven, 

Only  they  its  chords  can  know 
"Who  to  God  by  grace  are  given, 

Ransomed  from  the  depths  of  wo. 
Angels  can  not  know  or  tell, 

In  their  pure,  unfallen  bliss, 
How  a  soul,  redeemed  from  hell, 

Sings  the  mystery  of  grace ! 
They  the  chosen,  countless  throng, 

Ever  round  the  throne  above, 
In  their  new  and  endless  song, 

Celebrate  redeeming  lov«. 


BOOK  OF  EHTMES. 


THE    CHINAMAi(. 
The  Chinaman  his  life  consumes, 

On  opium  regaling — 
The  Yankee  his  tobacco  fumes 

With  equal  zest  inhaling — 
Though  trembling  nerves  and  fitful  glooma 

Warn  them  that  health  is  failing. 
For  almost  everything  that's  done 

Some  reason  wit  supposes, 
But  for  the  smoker's  faith,  not  one 

The  keenest  wit  discloses ; 
'Tis  filthy,  vulgar,  costly  fun, 

Hateful  to  all  good  noses. 


meeey's  illusteated 


A^   INDIAN   DANDY. 

"Well,  isn't  that  a  funny  dress  ? 

You  think  he  must  be  cruel, 
"With  human  bones  set  round  his  crown, 

And  skulls  in  place  of  jewels. 


BOOK    OF   RHYMES. 

Yet  in  hU  countenance  you  see 

Nothing  severe  or  savage, 
As  if,  with  cannibal  intent, 

Our  whole  domain  he'd  ravage. 

There's  no  accounting  for  our  tastea^ 
("  De  gusti'bus^''''  and  so  forth ;) 

Some  dote  on  very  slender  waists, 
Some  like  hooped  cisterns  go  forth. 

Sneer  not  at  Indian  or  Malay, 

Nor  get  into  a  passion ; 
He  does  as  you  do  day  by  day — 

Follows  the  latest  fashion. 

"White  dandies  strut  in  stove-pipe  hati^ 
White  women  go  bare-headed ; 

Which  is  most  proper,  red  or  white, 
We  leave  in  doubt  deep  shaded. 


HEEKT  S   ILLUSTRATED 


THE    SHADOW. 

OxB  sunny  day  a  child  -went  Maying — 
When  lo,  while  'mid  the  zephyrs  playing, 
He  saw  his  shadow  at  his  back  1 
He  turned  and  fled,  but  on  his  track 
The  seeming  goblin  came  apace, 
And  step  for  step  gave  deadly  chase ! 

Weary  at  last,  with  desperate  might 
The  urchin  paused  and  faced  the  fright, 
When  lo,  the  demon,  thin  and  gray, 
Faded  amid  the  grass  away  I 

'Tis  thus  in  Hfe — when  shadows  chase, 
If  we  but  meet  them  face  to  face, 
What  seemed  a  fiend  in  fear  arrayed. 
Sinks  at  our  feet  a  harmless  shade. 

Peter  Paelei; 


CONTENTS. 


1401 

The  Nest  Builden T 

Kindness 9 

Snow  Flakes 11 

Spring  Flowers 12 

Top  Philosophy , 18 

BylheLake 16 

Gentle  Words IT 

The  Frost 18 

Skating— "Woman's  Eights 21 

School  Sonnet 25 

The  Language  of  Flowers 2T 

The  Song  of  the  Exile 29 

The  Harvest 81 

The  Snow  House 85 

Cold  Water 86 

The  Good  Old  Plow 89 

Winter 40 

June 43 

Work  and  Play 44 

The  Butterfly 46 

Cold  Water , 48 

The  Telegraph— its  Secret 49 

The  April  Shower 58 

The  Ostrich 56 

The  Plowman 68 

Tb«  Hoa8«>Dog  **  Watch^ 69 


rAra 

Gone— an  Gone 61 

The  Chriatmas  Tree 62 

My  Mother's  Birthplace 66 

The  Song  of  Bob  Lincoln 6T 

A WiUandaWay 69 


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